opt flip book 2019 - Flipbook - Page 14
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Schools and Universities will tell you about their counselling resources;
there will most likely be a “wellness hotline” that you can reach when
you’re feeling low and need to talk through it. If you have to be alone for a
bit, that is totally understandable – but the most important thing is to not
isolate yourself. Loneliness is extremely debilitating, especially for people
like us who have travelled even across the world. Remember not to sink
into the loneliness. Listen to music, dance it out – even if you have two left
feet, exercise, eat ice-cream, read a book – do anything that would even
temporarily help you. And just take it step by step.
It is highly likely that your school will have a wellness/spiritual life center
that offers sessions and workshops on mindfulness, meditation and yoga.
They usually also offer religious groups for those who prefer. And I was
one of those people that constantly had others tell me to “just do some
meditation”, like it would magically solve all of my problems. Well, eventually
I gave it a try. It doesn’t solve all my problems, but it sure makes it a tad
easier for me to deal with them. I have not got into the habit of doing it
regularly, and a part of me knows that it would be so much better if I did,
but you know – life gets in the way of that. The times I do meditate though
– it really helps. So, go for such events; even if not for anything else, you
could find a new friend!
I cannot stress on the importance of staying healthy by eating healthy,
or just eating even. Skipping meals during student life is nothing new.
Even as I write this, I have only had a granola bar for breakfast which is still
better than what it used to be – a chocolate, no joke! Stock your refrigerator
with granola bars, yogurt and cold pressed juices. It is much healthier to
make yourself a sandwich or a salad, but if you have absolutely no time
for that, at least you can grab something and go. This is where having
a meal-plan really helps. Also remember that your body is getting used to
a completely new environment – the nutrients are different, where the
food comes from is different, so be prepared to either put on some weight
or lose some weight as your body gets used to it. America is truly the
melting pot of cultures so look for a local store that might have food from
your country. This is easier in the big cities, but you never know – a bodega
might surprise you!