By Caroline C., Consultant and Lead OA Stress. It’s what most people are feeling to a certain extent, now more than ever. With so much unknown in the world due to COVID-19 and its impacts on regular life, I have noticed an increased tendency to feel overwhelmed, anxious, afraid, angry, sad, or disconnected. Stress is a word thrown around by many people that can describe a lot of different feelings. But really, what is stress?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress is your body’s physiological response to a situation. The NIMH also explains that when your mind and body perceive a situation to be dangerous or threatening, your body reacts by heightening hormone levels and increasing circulatory and respiratory activity to help you survive. In my own experience, I have found that this can actually be helpful if I need to escape a dangerous situation or boost my motivation to meet a deadline. But I have definitely experienced the negative effects of long-term, built-up stress. I’ve noticed symptoms such as a weakened immune system (which can be a risk-factor for developing other health problems). Essentially, built-up stress disturbs my body’s normal way of functioning. If I’m operating under stress all the time, my body doesn’t have a way to reset to its natural rhythms. For a healthy lifestyle, managing my stress is very important. The NIMH states that the body’s physiological response to a perceived threat is to prepare for a survival response such as fighting or fleeing, that energy is present in the body regardless of whether you actually need to expend it. To cope with the physical aspect of stress on my body, I like to first take notice of changes in my breathing, pulse, heart rate, etc. Also, I try to pay attention to irregularities in my sleep, digestion, and any unpleasant emotions. These symptoms can indicate that my body is experiencing a stress response. Although I may not always be able to do so right away, planning to do a short walk, run, or other physical activity allows my body to release stress more easily and return to its normal state. However, physical activity is just one way I’m able to cope with my body’s stress response. The stress I am experiencing now, along with many other people I know, currently looks different than usual and can impact our emotional state of being more severely. During this time, there are a lot of reasons you might feel stressed. Whether it’s a work deadline, homework and class expectations, family and home responsibilities, or achieving goals that you planned for, it can all add up. That’s not to mention the overriding stress of COVID-19 and your ability to stay healthy, take care of your family members, neighbors, and friends, keep or find a job, pass classes, and pay important bills such as rent. This is a kind of stress-causing situation that I, along with most people, have never dealt with before. Since health is on the forefront of everyone’s minds these days, I want to emphasize that stress management is an excellent way to take care of ourselves (in addition to following health guidelines respective to where you live). Being aware of my stress and addressing it does not only help get my body’s normal functions back on track, it also helps with my mood and gives me a sense of clarity or calmness. Some of the following strategies for managing stress have been helpful to me during this time, and you may find them inspiring as you confront various unique challenges during this time.
Reference: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml
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As a person currently in a long-distance relationship, it is difficult to count down the days until I get to see my partner again when it feels like there's no end in sight. This feeling is not unfamiliar, but the circumstances are drastically different from a simple summer away from my partner. So, what does one do in a pandemic?
Some ways to keep in touch: 1. Puzzles! (https://digitalpuzzle.ravensburger.us/) If you're a lover of puzzles, and even more so doing collaborative puzzles, then this website is for you! Ravensburger asks you to log in with a username (it's free and not permanent so no sign-up needed!) to start a game that can be found under "Join an active game" for others to join in! They have puzzle pieces from 20 to 500 pieces! 2. FaceTime Dates! This one is probably my go-to method of keeping in touch with my partner. Even if it's 5 minutes out of your day or hours spent in silence working on homework, FaceTime (or any other video chat tool) is a really great way to recreate that feeling of being with your loved one in real-time. There's a lot of flexibility with what you can do with video chatting, some of the ones I've done are lunch dates, homework get-togethers, what my partner and I like to call "jam sessions" where we spend 30 minutes doing some sort of art, and more, so I implore you to explore! 3. Movie Nights! With the power of Zoom or Netflix Party or whichever video-sharing application you use, there's nothing like a good ol' classic movie night! Some movies I've watched with my partner so far are The Half of It and as of right now, I'm trying to get into New Girl (full disclosure: I don't watch a lot of TV) so those are definitely some recommendations! We also had an opportunity to watch one of JetCity Improv's live streaming shows that they host every Friday! Check out their Instagram @jetcityimprov! They're SO good! 4. Send gifts! Of course, this one is a bit tricky since it does require money and on certain occasions, it would require you to go outside, so please prioritize your safety and that of others. I'm a big fan of sending flowers and there are websites like 1-800-Flowers or ProFlowers that offer some affordable bouquets! They also make a point to practice social distancing with contact-less delivery as well as taking safety measures in the preparation of whatever it is you're delivering! Of course, it doesn't have to be flowers. There are a lot of companies still offering delivery (shop local if you can!) so get creative! 5. Write letters! Ah, the classic form of communication that has survived through centuries. My friend and I like to email each other long letters with very dramatized language, many fluffy fillers, and poetic stylings, all about the most mundane things. I know I said "email" but it's also a way to avoid going outside and paying for postage (if you're on a budget). Of course, the more traditional hand-written letter writing is still doable! Whether this is something you'd like to send or something you'd be comfortable reading out loud, writing letters can be funny, heart-warming, and overall a fun activity to do with friends! Of course, these are only just a few (yes you read that right, a few) ways to keep in touch with loved ones! Whether they're down the block or 2000 miles away, it's important to stay in contact with friends, family, and loved ones during this super crazy and difficult time! When we work together and follow what the science says, we can slow the spread of the Coronavirus and be reunited in no time! Stay safe, stay healthy, and I'll talk to you all next time! <3 - Kimberly By Ali Shaw
What I mean to share today, is that the formula I was told about journaling or keeping a diary, was the exact thing that kept me from accessing the true gift that writing has given me. I love that I get to carry around a history of this dynamic and occasionally overwhelming stage of my life: even when that history just looks like two sentences describing the sandwich I ate for lunch, or a note to myself to not forget that my partner's favorite number is five. My wish for you is to take time to learn what you need out of a journaling practice. Maybe that means guided prompts, or maybe it's a journal that's pages look like totally blank landscapes, ready to be filled with doodles and drawings of what's on your heart. The Brandy Melville model of 'One Size Fits All' seems to rarely work for truly all, so why would our journaling practices be an exception?
At the moment, I feel like a lot of people can relate to feeling like their days are blending together because every day feels the same. One thing that I know comes up in my life is the feeling that I have not done anything because there is not much variety in a day. However, recently I have been trying to encourage myself to find joy and importance in little things. I have been making small efforts to make the little things into things that will make my day better and more positive. So, here are a few meditations that I have been working on throughout my day in order to find and focus on the little things that can be surprisingly impactful.
-Grace Even though I haven’t had as much free time as I thought while in isolation, I did have a lot of time over spring break. Especially with the extra week given, I wasn’t sure how to spend my time when I wasn’t thinking about the global pandemic. Even while in school, though, I’ve learned to appreciate how nice it can be to just sit down with a book. It can be a way to relax and a way to escape, whether that’s from family members, schoolwork, or quarantine! Right when SU sent its on-campus residents home, I had my twentieth birthday, and my mom got me a book titled The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. She hadn’t read it before, but it was on the NYTimes Bestseller’s List, so she thought I might like it. It’s set during the Great Depression in rural Kentucky, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it at first, but because I was home from school and under lockdown, I figured I might as well try it. As a heads up, I will be spoiling the book! The main character, Alice, moves from her hometown in England to Kentucky to live with her new husband, however she quickly realizes that she never actually loved him. At the same time, Eleanor Roosevelt’s program for traveling libraries launches in the town the book is set in. This program calls for a team of women to deliver books and magazines to the families that live in the nearby mountains, since they have extremely limited access to the town. This includes the schools, so most of the children and their parents are illiterate. Alice joins the library, which only worsens her relationship with her husband and her father-in-law, who lives with her and her husband. Her father-in-law believes that women should not have their own ambitions, hobbies, or thoughts—their only purpose is to serve their husband and to take care of the house. Alice eventually leaves the house and moves in with her friend Margery, and later on, is able to null the marriage. (The book also follows Margery’s relationship with her partner, Sven, as well as how Margery grapples with her bad reputation. For years, she chooses not to marry Sven, which was extremely unusual for the time.) In the library, there are other women that also join: Sophia, Izzy, Beth, and Kathleen. The library struggles to be successful, especially because Alice’s father-in-law has made it his mission to destroy the library, but the town eventually understands how good the library has been for the town. By the end, Alice meets her true love, Margery marries Sven, and the library is loved by the town—a happy ending! When I first read the synopsis, I wasn’t sure that I was going to enjoy the book—the plot seemed cliché and overly dramatic, but I honestly ended up really liking the book. I definitely rolled my eyes at many parts, but it surprised me! I found it interesting that it was written by an English author and set in rural Kentucky, but I recommend it nonetheless. The author also attempted to discuss issues that many Americans struggle with, such as the extreme racism in the Southern US. It felt a bit thrown into the book, but I appreciated that she tried to discuss it, especially since the book is set in rural Kentucky. She also discussed the gender roles that people from that time were expected to follow. She didn’t delve too deeply into these issues, and the book as a whole did seem a bit Hallmark, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I tried not to take it too seriously, so it was very entertaining and fun to read! Because it wasn’t too heavy of a book, it was also a nice escape from our world reality, so I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a book that’s easy to read and light-hearted! by Sarah Mahl For someone who enjoyed staying at home more than going out, the idea of quarantine didn’t seem like the biggest deal! Staying home? Easily done! I do that anyways! But then weeks passed and I started to really feel the effects of not moving much and always sitting down or barely walking aside from going to another room just to sit again. Of course, there are home work-outs, but for someone like me who prefers the gym and can’t really work out in my home environment, I started getting concerned about my physical health. At some point, being “lazy” and relaxing started to feel really off for me and I wanted to be able to at least do something, especially now that spring quarter has progressed and I’ve been chained to my laptop even more so with all the assignments and zoom calls. So, what do I do when I feel like moving but not really wanting to move as much? Stretch! Stretching comes with so many benefits for your body and mind and can help you feel more active as opposed to stuck in one place all the time. One of the biggest negative effects of quarantine is stress, especially now that we’re all transitioning to remote classes and working, and some of us may struggle even having that access or just getting by on a daily basis with such a drastic change. According to ACE Fitness, “well-stretched muscles hold less tension” and, therefore, can help you feel less stressed. It’s definitely helped me so far and I’ve felt significantly less cooped up! Another benefit of stretching is that it promotes blood circulation! When we sit all day and don’t move around as much, that makes our bodies static, and therefore decreases blood circulation. The lack of circulation is harmful in the long run. When we stretch, we increase blood circulation to the joints and muscles, which promotes greater nutrient transportation and improves the circulation of blood through your entire body. Being stuck in one place all day is definitely not beneficial for me, and something as simple as stretching can greatly improve this factor. Because I don’t sit at a desk, I’ve opted to do my work on the floor, which makes stretching less complicated. I usually opt for the butterfly position, which is where I bend my knees and lean forward to promote flexibility in the thighs and lower back. Another one I do is simply the seated straddle stretch, where your legs are parted and you just lean forward (which I found super easy and doable for working while stretching). Sometimes I don’t follow a specific stretching routine and just do whatever feels best at the moment --- the key is to keep the body moving in the slightest as opposed to remaining stagnant. It might not feel like a lot is being done, but it does go a long way! Below are some of the stretches I do: I hope this helps in any way and that everyone is safe and healthy! We can do this! All resources from ACEFitness. By Kimberly Le
Have you ever found yourself writing an essay and thinking "Wow! This is such a great essay - I'm including facts and my own opinions and I'm extremely passionate about this topic!" But when you get your grade back your professor marks you down for things like "inefficient evidence", "passive voice", or "lacks analyzation and/or understanding of text". It might've been a miscommunication between you and your professor and your different interpretations of your writing or, it may be a case of "fluffy writing" - aka the red zone in academic writing. Don't worry, we've all been there. Myself included. There is no "concrete" definition of fluffy writing, but the basic idea is that the content is too wordy and/or full of meaningless "filler" that detracts the reader from the focus of the paper. It's not necessarily a negative thing! But when it comes to academic writing, it can definitely steer your audience – typically your professor – away from the prompt they've assigned. So, from my experience, here are tips and tricks to keep in the back of your head while you write your essay and to also give opportunities for when fluff is okay and encouraged (so don't throw away the idea just yet)! And as always, this is not the "end-all-be-all" sure way to avoid fluff, but it definitely is a start to what you can be looking out for in your writing! Jargon Don't get it confused with "slang", as the two are distinctive of each other. While both are oriented towards a certain community, "slang" is informal and uses words or phrases that steer far from its actual meaning (think "salty", "savage", or "shade"). "Jargon", on the other hand, are words and phrases that are popularized and developed within a community. For example, there's business jargon, medical jargon, and police jargon. The thing to be cautious about when using jargon is understanding who your audience is and whether the terms you use will be familiar to them. It certainly is helpful in writing, but do so effectively and with consideration. Don't Try to be Fancy A good rule of thumb is, "if you have to look up the word, don't use it". Keep it simple! There's nothing wrong with using "common words" – so long as you're getting your point across. Same goes for using synonyms of said common words (think "use" instead of "utilize"). Intensifiers A professor once told me there was no such thing as "very" of "anything" which may sound extreme, but in the context of writing a paper, it's applicable. If you find yourself using "very", "extremely", or "really" see what happens when you take them out (and see how much simpler your paper will be). Fillers We write these words without even thinking. They're harmless, but they aren't necessary and so you should look out for when you add words like "just", "really", "even", "quite", or "that". Of course, these words can be helpful for emphasis, so use your best judgement when writing. They're similar to intensifiers, though, are "very" justifiable depending on the context. All seriousness aside, fluffy writing has its perks too. When you're writing a rough draft you should be dumping all of your thoughts and ideas into an "essay" format. Fluffy writing, in this case, would be highly recommended since it allows you to write as much as you can about whatever topic (remember, it's always better to have too much than too little!). Fluffy writing is also helpful in creative writing. If you're a storyteller, feel free to let your mind wander and get all of those juicy details into your plot. If you're a poet, think of the impact each word has and how it'll be read to your audience. Fluffy writing is not what you should submit to a research journal, but it is what you should look to if you're drawing a blank on how to start a paper. We all start somewhere, but at the end of the day, your paper is yours. So, own it, be proud, and keep on writing. |
SUWC Blog AuthorsAny posts on the SUWC Blog are authored by current consultants working to improve, refine and perfect our practice as peer tutors. Find a Post!
January 2024
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