Part of a series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center, this collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @rowanuwellness on social.
Written by Wellness Center intern Nadia Elbanna, sociology major
Mental health has become a major topic of conversation in recent years, which has been largely beneficial. However, it can also be intimidating for many people, myself included. For many college students, adding taking care of their mental health to their already long to-do list makes it feel like a chore, and more of an added stressor than anything else. A simple way to practice wellness in your daily life is to prioritize gratitude and positive self-talk.
Utilizing gratitude as a competing response to negativity and unproductive thinking helps to improve your attitude toward your daily routine (Smith, 2023). For me, practicing gratitude for mundane things has completely changed my perspective.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed with a busy week or a lengthy to-do list, I take a step back and remind myself of how being busy is a privilege that not everyone has. When I’m feeling frustrated or stressed with schoolwork, I remind myself how fortunate I am to be in a position to receive a higher education. When I feel too tired to spend time with my loved ones, I remind myself of how lucky I am to have people who take time out of their busy lives to spend with me.
While showing gratitude is important, it can easily backfire (Smith, 2023). Allow yourself the space and time to feel your emotions without unnecessarily dwelling on them. I know it seems corny, but these small changes in my internal dialogue have made a great impact on my overall outlook on life.
Life is hard and holding yourself to unrealistic standards only makes it harder. Mental health is scary, so reframing your attitude about familiar processes is a great start on your wellness journey. Restructuring your mindset of wellness and incorporating mental healthcare into your daily routine rather than making it another thing to obsess over can make a positive impact on your life.
Works Cited
Smith, A. J. (2023, November 22). Gratitude – A mental health game changer.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/gratitude-mental-health-game-changer