ANXIETY

Life changes rapidly, especially now. No one’s 2020 turned out the way it was planned, and everyone has had to adapt to this new normal. This year has proven to be a whirlwind of chaos with COVID-19 destroying the foundations that many people’s lives were built on. In the early months of the year, everyone expected quarantine to last two or three weeks, assuming they would return back to their normally sanctioned lives soon afterwards. Evidently, this was not the case. As campuses and dorms began shutting down, students had to return back to their hometowns and families. Although some were excited to spend time at home, not everyone found this as comforting. For many students, being on campus gives them a sense of community, whether that be due to their friends, jobs or extracurricular activities. COVID-19 took that away from them. Having to go home and social distance caused an increase in mental health issues as many felt disconnected from their everyday sense of being.

“It’s hard to feel like yourself when you have to compromise the things you love doing,” said Selina V., a student at Michigan State University. “I always felt anxious because I never knew when I would be able to get back to normal and live how I used to.”

With a complete loss of control, it’s hardly surprising that people began to experience a heightened sense of anxiety. These are unparalleled times; not only are people’s lives essentially put on hold, but many opportunities have been taken away. And what’s more, people are having to stay away from friends and family rather than seeking them for support.

“It was the worst time of my life,” said Maggie L., a student at Michigan State University. “I discovered how much I hate being alone.”

Coming to terms with the fact that you have to be comfortable with yourself is no easy task. An abundance of time to reflect on who you are can get overwhelming. There might be certain aspects of yourself you intentionally neglect for fear of finding something you’d rather keep buried. With all the changes and mental strains brought by COVID-19, many people are forced to discover new sides of themselves, whether that be in a physical, emotional or spiritual way.

In taking the time to learn more about themselves, many discovered new passions and hobbies to focus on and help alleviate their anxiety during the pandemic. This ability to focus on oneself and their passions for a moment, rather than constantly consuming social media and news outlets for the latest update, became a crucial part in protecting one’s mental

health during quarantine. While it is definitely important to stay well-educated and up to date on worldly issues, it is also important to take some time away and just focus on yourself. Honing in too much on the hardships of this world can lead to a lot of pain and spiraling. Allow yourself to take a step back and experience happiness from time to time in order to protect your mental health.

The world has changed entirely, and this year has been hard for everyone. Remember your mental health is a priority and deserves to be treated as such.