Processing Emotions

By Catherine Cully

College students face high demands in a new environment which can cause life to feel like an emotional rollercoaster. It is essential to take the limited time we may have to process our emotions in healthy ways. Below, I have listed a few ways to take care of your mental health this semester. 

1) Write, or draw out your thoughts:

This could be in the form of a diary or a reflective questionnaire. Switch it up and play around with form to see what best suits you. 

2) Cognitive behavioral therapy templates:

These templates were a recent discovery of my own. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to rationalize and challenge negative thoughts and emotions. After scouring the internet, I discovered many of these templates are free. I specifically use them for dealing with anxiety. The templates provide a guide for working through issues in a logical way. I have found these to be comparable to processing my problems with a therapist. 

3) Exercise: 

Whether it's kick-boxing, running, or a casual walk, exercise helps to reduce stress, and it provides an outlet by releasing endorphins. Furthermore, a walk in a place that makes you feel at peace—a local garden for example—is a great way to open your mind and reflect. 

4) Grounding exercises and meditation: 

Sometimes our emotions manifest as intrusive thoughts that prevent us from a general sense of well-being. When this occurs, it is helpful to use a grounding technique like the five senses exercise. In this exercise, you name five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. 

5) Talk to your support system:

Getting an outside perspective on a situation is extremely valuable because often, personal biases prevent us from seeing reality in a wholly objective way.