Navigating Mental Health
By Isabella Tricarico
I struggled with my mental health throughout my freshman year of college. I was thrown out of my comfort in my hometown. I could not wrap my head around the idea that I was supposed to stay on campus for months without the security of driving to my friend’s house or my favorite Starbucks down the street. I felt lost, and I did not know how to handle this feeling.
My mom encouraged me to find a routine. She promised it would help my mental health. However, each time she said this, I ignored it. I thought about how a routine could help me when I struggle to get out of bed or start my day, but how could I find a pattern here when I don’t even know my way around? These thoughts controlled my brain for some time, and I found every excuse not to get into a routine. I felt as if I was going through the motions: wake up, go to classes, study, and go to bed. This is what I did every day, but I lacked a routine that I could truly enjoy. This way of going about my days was unhelpful, and while I knew that, I did not believe anything else would help me.
It wasn’t until this semester, the second semester of sophomore year, that I learned how vital routine is. While I could not keep my routine long enough before losing motivation freshman year, I decided to change things in January of 2023. It’s been about a month of constant routine, and I can say it has helped. Routine does help improve your mental health. I now realize I wasn’t taking any time for myself. I was doing what I was supposed to as a college student. I was studying and going to class, but that’s about it. I didn’t find anything I loved to do here besides hanging out with my friends, but I didn’t feel the rewards of being productive.
I took advantage of the days I could sleep in—which, don’t get me wrong, I love a day to sleep in. However, I found that going to sleep at the same time and waking up every morning at the same time helped me. My sleep schedule before this semester was all over the place. I sometimes got five hours, and some days I got eight, but it would vary daily. And, as most of us know, sleep is incredibly important, and you can accomplish much more in your day when you get enough sleep.
For me, the routine that helps me is:
Getting a solid 8-9 hours of sleep
Having a stable morning routine
Going to the gym at least three times a week
Showering daily
Going to class
Hanging with friends, but making time for hobbies
Doing school work
Having a stable night-time routine
Establishing a routine helped me make time for myself. Every day from 9:30 am-11:30 am, I have two hours of self-care. Having this time at least a couple of days a week is crucial because it allows you to put yourself first in the morning. This time helped me realize how important it is to take care of myself. I find that by 11:30 am, I accomplish a lot. From someone who used to roll her eyes at the thought of routine and making time for herself, I can finally say I have seen positive results.
I encourage others to consider implementing a routine in their own daily life. And always remember, make the change for yourself, not for anyone else.
