Are you having trouble learning how to manage your thoughts?

In the winter, especially when you’re in high school, it can be hard to express or recognize how you are feeling.

Students often get stressed or scared when it comes to too much schoolwork, feeling alone, or even feeling like they have no way of expressing themselves.

Here are some activities that you can do to feel more productive, help you feel heard, manage your thoughts, etc.

–Knitting

At first, knitting is known to be seen as a repetitive and simple task. But alternating your purl and knit stitches stimulates brain function, or as your brain to focus on something else.

-Painting/drawing/doodling

Using drawing as a coping mechanism can be a healthy and creative way to manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions.

It can distract you from any unwanted thoughts managed by anxiety, painting can also help you express how you are feeling or want to be heard.

-Writing

Writing can help us reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and cultivate a greater sense of self awareness.

Set aside a few minutes a day to write.

If you aren’t familiar with writing often, you can try to write everyday about what you are feeling or what you are having trouble saying aloud.

Writing down what you have to say on a piece of paper can help you feel heard or connected with yourself more.

-Exercise

Exercise improves your fitness, which can help lift your mood.

If you have the courage to go for a walk and get some fresh air it can help you connect with nature and calm you down.

-Listen to music

Listening to music can help you connect with the artist. Listening to lyrics that describe how you are feeling can help you feel like you’re having common feelings.

Sounds can serve as a conduit to lift someone’s mood, help them reflect and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

-Learning new skills

Learning new skills/activities can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, help build a sense of purpose and foster connections with others.

Finding something that you and one another have in common could lead to potentially making a new friend.