If I’ve learned anything from the transition from college to the “real world,” it’s that the 40-hour work week is vastly different from the college experience that I had over the last four years.

Although it’s exciting to be graduated, starting a career in the field I went to school for, working in Detroit and living on my own, it can also often be exhausting and draining. I had several part-time jobs in college, sometimes multiple jobs in a semester, but I still always had time to relax and have fun. Most importantly, I was always surrounded by friends.

Working full time leaves a lot less hours in the day to do either of those things. I often feel constrained by, and sometimes even trapped in, the routine that comes with a 9 to 5. There’s been times when I’ve felt lonely and terrified of what the future holds. And all of these things together have taken a toll on me mentally.

After doing some research, it turns out that these negative feelings are common among recent college graduates — so common that there’s a term for it: “post-graduation depression.”

Post-graduation depression, although not recognized as a formal diagnosis, is used to describe the impaired functioning and depression that graduates experience after leaving the life they had in college. People in situations similar to my own might face post-graduation depression, along with those who may not have secured a job yet and are struggling with the uncertainty of their future.

This is not to say that I don’t recognize how privileged I am to have received a college education and found a job shortly after graduation. I have a roof over my head which is also a blessing. But, there are definitely struggles that have come with the transition.

The best way to describe it, for me, is that life is just a little less fun and a lot more lonely now in comparison to how it was in college, especially as someone who lived on campus all four years.

One thing I’ve learned from the transition is that it’s just as important to take care of mental health as it is to take care of physical health.

What are some ways to do this?

Below are some tips that have worked for me to combat the stress, negative emotions and anxiety that have come with the changes post-graduate life has brought me.

Pick up a hobby. Take a class. Get a gym membership. Join a book club. Anything! Eventbrite is a good source to find classes and events in Detroit.

Map out your goals. Know your short-term and long-term goals and come up with a plan for the present and future to reach them.

Talk about your struggles. Reach out to close friends, families or counselors.

Don’t make comparisons. The prominence of social media makes comparison tempting. Remind yourself that people’s lives move at different speeds, and someone else’s life doesn’t make yours any less valuable.

Practice self care. Take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. If you need inspiration or ideas, check out this list of 45 self-care practices.

Be mindful and grateful. Everyone is fighting a battle. It’s up to you to find the blessings in your struggles, both big and small.

A few other resources:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
National Institution of Mental Health
Half of Us
Headspace 
Calm