Question:
As exam season approaches, I am terrified of gaining weight. I have struggled with body dysmorphia in the past and I'm scared that not being able to workout as much as I used to will make me gain weight and I won't be able to work it off after the exam period. Any advice on how to deal with these fears so they don't interfere with my academics and personal life?
Response 1:
I really want to answer your question, but if I’m being honest was really conflicted about answering your question because I felt that it would be fraudulent for me to answer your question. I’ve struggled with self-image for as long as I can remember. I share your fears of gaining weight—even though we might be consciously aware it’s okay to gain a little weight, I can’t help but be afraid. Although I recommend seeking someone much more qualified than myself if these things are causing anxiety and fear, as they’ll be able to equip you with better coping strategies, I also really understand not being ready to ask for help in that way. So while I am not counsellor nor a therapist, I am a peer mentor. I can be a peer support and someone to vent to and someone who can really empathize with you. Although I can only speak from my own experience, I have found it to be really helpful to know you’re not the only one who feels this way. It can be relieving to have someone who you can explain these things to. I’ve also found it helpful to have a workout buddy that can help keep you organized. Even though you might not be working out as much, having someone else who you’ll workout helped me to make my schedule and stay on top of things. Lastly, I think getting moving for a study break, even for a bit can help you feel better. Sometimes if I knew I didn’t have a lot of time, I’d just go for a short walk and it helped to clear my mind.
If you want someone to talk to, please feel free to contact me at fayecrozier11@gmail.com
I hope this helps,
Faye
Response 2:
Hi there,
I’m sorry to hear that you are going through this during exam season. Like the response above, I would highly recommend you speak with a registered therapist - before choosing one (assuming you do not already have a therapist) look at their qualifications to see if they are a registered social worker (RSW) and look at their areas of specialty to make sure they will be a good fit for you and the areas you would like to talk about. If you are worried about costs, I know the Waterloo/WUSA Student Health Plan covers a lot of mental health services (mental health practitioners: combined maximum of 80% up to $800 per calendar year) and is easy to submit claims online. As someone who also has struggled a lot in the past with what you have mentioned, I found talking to someone who can help you work through your thoughts and create action plans/coping strategies helped a lot.
In addition, while I am not a professional, as a peer mentor and fellow student, here are some things that I found helpful during stressful periods like exam season:
As a break from studying, you can go for a walk or do a short workout; you can definitely spread out exercising throughout the day as well, if one long session is too much. If time is really an issue, creating a schedule of when you plan to exercise can help you manage your study time effectively while still being able to be active.
For food, I try to snack on or buy things that are healthier or more satiating - foods that are higher volume low-calorie dense foods, or higher in protein.
Lastly, at the end of the day if you look at the bigger picture, exam season is such a short period of time and any lifestyle changes are only temporary, so I am sure that once it is over you will be able to get back into a healthy routine that works for you.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out if you need any help!
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