therapy Tag

How to Prepare Your Mental Health As You Transition to College

If you are heading to college with a diagnosed mental health condition, you are not the only one. Many new students are in therapy, take medications, receive support services through college, private tutors, guidance counselors, or other agencies. Planning ahead for your mental health and academic support needs will make your transition to college healthier, easier, and more comfortable. Know the steps to prepare your mental health before stepping onto a college campus can help you so much.

• Time management– College can be more demanding than high school, plan to devote more time to your studies. Plan out your days and create a routine that you stick to every week. Having an assignment book to mark important assignments and tests can make your experience of college so much easier.
• Socializing– It can be fun to meet your roommate(s) and others on the floor in your building. Just remember that some people thrive on social interaction while others may struggle with that, so be kind to one another.
• Independence– Now that you’re on your own, you may feel the need to test your limits. Don’t make bad decisions based on peer pressure. Say “NO” to things you don’t want to do. Setting boundaries is very important and do not let people step over your boundaries and respect other people’s boundaries.
•  Resources– Be sure to use to familiarize yourself with the resources on college campus. Consider joining a student organization and being involved. There is also learning assistance and resource centers, and student health services and counseling centers that can assist you if needed.
• Stress– Being aware that some amount of stress and anxiety is normal. You are in a setting with new people and new challenges. You can do this!

Sources:

Family Matters: Making the Transition to College – West Chester University (wcupa.edu)

Planning Ahead for Your Mental Health Care as You Transition to College | The Jed Foundation

How to overcome grieving?

Grief is painful emotional process that is not easy to deal with. You may have lost a family member, spouse, friend, or a pet. No matter your loss, be honest with yourself. The one way to heal is to process and come to terms with your emotions. Seeking therapy after a loss can help you overcome anxiety and depression by processing your experience at your own pace.

Things you can do to feel better if you’re grieving is practicing self-care which is critical component of the grieving process. In addition to participating therapy consider things you can do to take care of yourself. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Stop drinking.
• Taking nature walks.
• Practice mediating.
• Spending time with family and friends.
• Having a set schedule.
• Reading books.
• Get physical activity daily

If you are suffering from grief to cope with grief in Wayne or Yardley area, talk to a therapist at BCA Therapy. We are specialized to help you and will help you through these times.

Living with Anxiety

Some days, the goal is to win over anxiety, show up and face the day. But it is important to breathe and keep going. This is completely normal! But what is anxiety? Anxiety is the mind and body’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It’s the sese of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. Anxiety does not like big crowds, plans changing at the last minute, the unknown, new situations, and loud noise. Anxiety likes to be in control, having a routine and schedule, reassurance, being extra careful, and being alert at all times. This is what is looks like to have anxiety.

Things you didn’t know were anxiety:

• Pleasure to be perfect.
• Thinking everyone is judging you.
• Trying to meet everyone’s standard.
• Rethinking your decision.
• Irrational fears.
• Chronic stomach pain.

Anxiety can also grow throughout your body, but you can do the work to calm your nerves. One step is to visit BCA Therapy, because we have therapists who specialize in anxiety and can help look deeper, uncovering additional life factors that lead to out-of-control feelings. We have locations in Bucks County and the Main Line area that you can visit.