At first I was nervous about this assignment, I did not want to speak to people about their mental or physical health because some people think that topic is too personal to discuss. However I then realized that talking about it may be a good thing for some people allowing them to hear themselves say how they truly feel. I decided I would speak to my friends on my floor all of which are nursing majors who are always stressing about the next assignment or quiz. 

First I spoke to Jillian I asked questions like “Do you find yourself being stressed more often now that you’re in college” and “Do you believe that your mental and physical health are important”. The moment after I asked Jillian if she was stressed it was like opening the floodgates she began to explain all the things she was stressed over. What I concluded from talking to Jillian was that rush actually made her stress levels rise higher than ever and her confidence plummet. She said “I’ve officially been dropped by all the good ones maybe its because im not pretty or cool enough, I don’t know what I did or said wrong”. I then had to explain that it was nothing about her and nothing she did, that it truly depends on who you talk to and that it truly is luck. Rush is supposed to be fun but to some it damages their confidence and mental health. This conversation was very similar to the one I had with Hannah, the only difference is on top of rushing Hannah had the added stress of finding a chemistry tutor and finding time in her busy schedule to study for her upcoming anatomy exam.

I decided now in my next conversation to make my main question “Do you believe that your mental and physical health are important”. My friend John responded with “If i’m in good physical health my mental health will follow”. He continued to explain that going to the gym getting in shape and building muscle makes him feel better about himself and let off steam. As John continued to explain his point of view I realized he uses society’s idea of the perfect male and strives to get there and he believes getting there will bring him happiness and in his mind this will allow him to have good mental health. This idea was similar to Mike’s belief however Mike admitted he was in poor physical and mental health. He explained how he knew he had to work on both but was too lazy to change his ways.

The final person I spoke to stood out the most, Caitlin was happy, stress free and radiates positivity. When I asked her about stress in her life she stated “I don’t stress over things that are not in my control and I do my best not to stress over the things I do control”. At first I was confused but then she explained how she tries not to stress over school because she knows she tries her hardest and she never stresses over the things in life that are out of her hands. I was amazed by her outlook on life and wished I thought more like her. She explained how by doing as she does she believes her mental health is good which allows her to be in good physical health. She believes when people are sad they have no drive to do anything and since she is happy with her life she can do things like go for a run, go to the gym and make herself healthy meals.