Prioritizing my well-being even when it's hard

Hello and welcome back!

It's certainly been a while since I'm uploading on my blog.

Even though I might not be consistent with my uploads, I will do my absolute best to introduce you to various topics of my choosing.

This is a tough topic for everyone, as it is really hard to prioritize one's well-being. However, I think it is really important as a student, especially as an international student, to talk about this.

Recently, I started taking a kinesiology class to fulfill a graduation requirement, and it taught me so much more than just physical fitness. It taught me the mental aspect of fitness: emotional well-being. Everyone always mentions physical health, but I haven't seen anyone talk as much about emotional well-being, even though it is really important to discuss.

As an international student, I find this topic hard for everyone. However, I think it is really important to discuss this. A lot of people find it difficult to openly discuss mental well-being, as it is a sensitive topic for them.

I initially found it difficult to discuss the topic of mental health and emotional well-being, but I know it is important as an international student to make the move and talk openly about it. Mental and emotional well-being is a stigmatizing topic, regardless of cultural backgrounds. Some people believe that it would make them feel weak if they talk about mental health, but it doesn't. Opening up about the struggles makes you stronger, and it is a testament to survival. You are strong enough to talk about it, and it is okay if it is sensitive.

This year was certainly a struggle for me, as I was going through so many challenges with my mental health. I was recently diagnosed with anxiety and found it difficult, as I didn't know the proper coping mechanisms. I ended up taking medications for anxiety, and that has been helping me a lot, as some things do trigger anxiety for me, but taking medications helped me not overthink too much, and I felt calmer when I took medications. Even though medications wouldn't be everything, there are things that I could do without them. I went through a lot of challenges surrounding my mental health, and it honestly took courage for me to even write about it. However, I want to open up about it because it is evidence of survival, and without everything I went through, I don't think I would've been the person that I am today.

My tips for self-care are reading books, practicing breathing exercises, and taking breaks when things feel overwhelming. Whenever I read, I feel like I'm in a different world, and I get to imagine myself in that timeline the book is set in. During my kinesiology class, my professor mentioned breathing exercises. So I followed some of the guides my professor sent out, and it helped me distract myself from all the hecticness going on in my life.

To be honest, I think mental health is as important as achieving my goals. However, to accomplish what we want in the short or long term, mental health must be taken into account so the process doesn't feel too hectic.

To conclude, I just want to add that we are all survivors, and I am proud of every single one of you who are reading this, and I just hope that opening upabout my mental health experience will help others to open up about theirs.

Thank you so much for reading.