Forget Resolutions, Embrace Routines! 1.8.21

 Dear Students, 

Happy new year! 

...or something! 

We're just a few days into 2021, and despite all our hopes that things would magically change, the world is still in turmoil. The pandemic is still with us. Remote school is still hard. And we *still* miss you.

Most of you are at home right now. Many are wondering how to make the days go a bit faster so you can return to campus already, or how exactly you are going to make learning from home palatable for the rest of the semester. Beyond those concerns, how can you make this new year into something that feels a lot better - less stressful and more hopeful - than the year we just lived through?

To begin, resist any inclination you might feel to set resolutions because the person you are RIGHT NOW is fabulous and requires no improvement. Resolutions tend to be motivated by the parts of ourselves we dislike, bringing up negative emotions. They're often unrealistic, depend on factors outside our control, driven by capitalist interests (the ads for diet and exercise plans in January are ubiquitous), and premised upon the assumption that you aren't good enough the way you are. Which simply isn't true.

Instead, embrace your awesome self and support the person you are more fully by establishing and deepening daily routines. Whether you are at home, school, or somewhere in between, whether you'll be there for two weeks or seven months, routines help us feel grounded and peaceful in our day. They reduce the need to make decisions in the moment, they offer reassurance, and they help our bodies (which include our brains) be healthy and function well. Regular sleeping and eating times, homework and class times, and exercise routines really help when your life (and let's face it, the whole world) feels unpredictable. And regular times to connect (a weekly zoom chat with a friend, a daily walk with your dog, watching Sunday night Netflix with a far-away roommate) reduce loneliness and make us feel good.

If you'd like any help with the how-to of things like embracing your awesome self and establishing healthy routines, we're here! A regular weekly counseling appointment to address anxiety, depression, loss, academic problems, family concerns or simply feeling stuck can be an excellent part of a supportive self-care routine.

Call the Counseling Service at 717-544-9051 if you'd like to give it a try.

Warmly,

Lauren, Susan, Katharina, Meagan, Alexis, Kelly and Gene