The winter break can be some of the toughest times of the year for college students’ mental health. However, ABAC students can rest assured there are resources to guide them through these rough patches.
Although winter holidays typically come with happy memories and celebrations, for some this is the opposite of the truth.
College students can find their time during the break to be difficult due to seasonal gloom, the rush that comes with the season of giving, or other personal, more complicated reasons. These reasons can consist of negative memories of the holidays, lack of support at home, missing friends back at college, having to work over the break, and other issues that may arise.
Dr. Shubha Chatterjee, one of ABAC’s counselors and professors, has given some advice on ways that students can better deal with struggles over the upcoming break.
One of her first suggestions is to remember that managing the basics of one’s mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health can be a first step in keeping well this season. Eating well, sleeping better, and exercising, such as going to the gym, running, jogging, or even a simple walk during the day are all ways to make sure that you feel okay.
It is important to learn how to have control over yourself and say “no” to any demands that you know will not be good for you, such as drugs and alcohol. In short, Dr. Chatterjee advises you make good decisions.
The holiday rush can cause busy days, and during a busy day it is important to unwind and take a moment to yourself to just relax.
Dr. Chatterjee said, “be mindful and give yourself some time to reflect on what you are grateful for. Appreciate the small joys in life and pay attention to things around you. Remember to offer yourself the care and kindness that you offer to your loved ones. Be open to receiving and giving care, love, and kindness.”
The rush of the holiday season can cause extra stress due to the pressure to get the best gifts for those you care about. However, as mentioned earlier, remember to unwind, you still need to take care of yourself and keep an eye on your budget.
Handling the rush can be helped with writing a schedule of what you plan to do for the days or weeks can help with focus. A schedule allows you to keep track of what you need to do.
If you are alone during this time, Dr. Chatterjee suggests you try to reach out to family or friends and look for a support system that can make these times easier. Reaching out to friends and family over the break can also let them know that someone is there for them.
If those are not an option, then it can be good to look at your community and connect with those in it, such as through volunteering for an organization.
Generally, look to others and seek help when you are feeling down, and you should look to see how others are feeling. You could be cheering someone up by simply checking in on them.
It is also important to remember the value of the holidays we are celebrating. “Christmas is a time of forgiveness and New Years is a time of welcoming new opportunities. Let us not forget to truly live in the spirit of each occasion,” said Dr. Chatterjee.
If students need help, they can get support through one of the many services that ABAC offers. Even over the break, ABAC wants to ensure that students have access to counseling services if they ever need help.
Dr. Shubha Chatterjee and Ms. Phyllis Jeter are ABAC’s counselors. They can be contacted by calling the Counseling Center at 229-391-5135 or by emailing the Counselling Center at counseling@abac.edu.
Other resources available include Christie Campus at 833-855-0081 and the Georgia Crisis Line, which you can reach by dialing the phone number 988. These and other resources can all be found on the counseling page of ABAC’s website.
It is good to keep all these tips in mind, and to make sure that you remain well, reach out if you need help, and enjoy the holiday break to the best of your abilities.