STRESS & IDENTITY
Find new ways to destress and relax with these wonderful methods of destressing.
JUNE 2021 ARTICLES
The Vague and Ever-Changing Idea Called “Me”
by Jisoo Myung
“Hey, my name is Jisoo and I am an overseas Korean. So I’m fully Korean, but I was born in Norway and grew up in Hong Kong.”
This is how I often introduce myself to people I meet for the first time. I clearly look Korean, but I do not necessarily act, speak, or even think like most local Koreans do, nor have I mastered the language to its fluency. For a while, I was too embarrassed to even call myself Korean and would introduce myself as being from Hong Kong instead. At the same time, despite having lived in Hong Kong for over a decade, I am not completely familiar with the culture and I cannot speak any Cantonese or Mandarin because I decided, without any thought, to focus simply on my English and Spanish in the international school setting I attended throughout my life - my lack of practice has faded my Spanish to a simple “hola, lo siento pero no hablo espanol.” Disappointingly, the 12-year-old me who decided to learn Spanish over Mandarin also despised the Chinese culture and tried my best to attach myself to the British culture still thriving in the international schools I attended.
Moving away from the vague label of being an “overseas Korean,” different experiences and people have shaped me from being one type of person to another. I changed from being an outgoing and cheeky child to a shy and depressing teenager to something in between as a young adult. Discoveries of new hobbies, interests, and information have all also encouraged the changing labels I attached to myself. In other words, I guess it’s from experience that I believe that “identity” is not fixed, and will never be fixed. Personally, this is more exciting and fun, rather than scary, because despite being myself, I am still always discovering new things about myself, as if I am still an acquaintance, rather than a close friend. In fact, I am working my way up the ladder to become my own bestest friend. This removes my own fear of a mundane and boring, repetitive life, and pushes me to “step out of my comfort zone,” as one might say.
In a sense, I am still incredibly immature and young, having only lived for 20 years, but I have seen myself change drastically multiple times and I am still constantly changing. It’s difficult for me to have a specific and direct answer to who I am because, although cheesy, I am still searching for myself and who I feel comfortable and true being.
Although specific and personal, I’ll briefly describe one aspect of myself that I recently understood more about: kindness. I have always described myself as kind and caring, and would feel great hurt and betrayed whenever someone would call and treat me otherwise. However, I think I put myself on this unreachable pedestal where I was a type of saint who deserved only the best because of how kind I was. But as you may have guessed, I have recently accepted that it’s impossible to be that, and that there are indeed ugly parts of myself that holds hatred like anyone else, and I have learnt to lower my expectations of others because I deserve the exact same treatment as everyone else - I do not deserve better, or less pain because I am superior. I am not excluded from the billions of those who feel hurt because they have done something hurtful. I am still and always will be a flawed being who will unfortunately make mistakes that will hurt others, but as long as I do not do so intentionally or with malice, there is nothing else I can do about it but to accept and move on. Of course, I am not describing myself as being evil, but I have always found it hard to accept that not everyone will like me, and that I am not as kind as I think I am. But that’s something that I recently learnt about myself.
I’m assuming that most of you reading this are still young adults, and so the uncertainty of one’s identity might be something that’s bothering you or still confuses you. I think that’s perfectly okay, and it’s still okay even if you’re past your 40s or 50s or beyond that, and are still looking for that one (or more) thing that makes your eyes shine and your heart race with passion. There is honestly no rush to understand what excites you, unless that in itself is what brings you joy. I myself am still uncertain of what I want to do in the future, heck, I am still wavering a little with the studies I want to pursue. But as of now, we know that this is the one life that we get and we should enjoy every bit of it, even the confusing and scary parts of understanding the vague and ever changing idea of who you are.
MAY 2021 ARTICLES
STRESS
by Jooyoun Park
How do you often deal with your stress? In modern days, stress is inevitable for everyone and I think it is really important to know how to deal with your stress for your mental health. Today I would like to introduce a few tips on how to deal with stress and I wish they would help you with relieving your stress!
First of all, I often take a long nap! Sometimes, you feel stress more easily when you don’t sleep enough. It is really important to pause on what stresses you out and take some time to sleep. After you take a long nap, you might notice that the thing that stressed you out was not a big deal. Thus, try to take a nap, it doesn’t have to be a long nap, but a nap will make you more patient in making new decisions and help you to navigate your next step!
Secondly, find some relaxing music and listen to it while you take some rest! Personally, I prefer quiet and slow-tempo music as it calms me down while I’m stressed, however, one of my friends said she likes to listen to loud and fast music, such as EDM or K-pop when she is stressed to forget what’s on her nerves. I think it depends on what type of music you like and I recommend you to try to listen to different genres of music to find what suits you the best!
Thirdly, I just decide to cry out loud. Usually, we try to conceal our feelings and try not to acknowledge that we are not on track. But, what I noticed recently is that it is really important to be honest to yourself and face your true emotions. Take it easy and keep in mind that there are always ups and downs in our life! It is totally fine to feel that we are not doing well enough but it is not fine to be depressed and feel self-hatred! Just cry out loud when you are stressed and don’t try to conceal your feelings! After you cry out loud, you might feel much better and it would be much easier to make a fresh start and find your way! For example, I was so disappointed at my grades and I was true to my feelings and cried out loud in front of my family. They comforted me and I felt much more relieved after I cried. Thus, if you are not feeling well, don’t try to hide your feelings, just face it and cry out loud, it might help!!
Everyone has stress and it depends on how you deal with it! Don’t be discouraged, rather pause for a while to find something that you enjoy! I wish my tips were helpful to you and I wish you luck!!
APRIL 2021 ARTICLES
EUSTRESS OR DISTRESS?: BASED ON OUR STATE OF MIND
by Wonjeong Jeong
There is research that a loanword Korean use most is ‘stress’. People living in this world unavoidably get stressed because of relationships, grades, and promotions. Students in Korea get stressed because they have to compete with other classmates. Especially high school students feel a lot of burden about going to a good university. There is pressure from their parents and teachers. However, even if they are accepted to the university, employment weighs heavily on students. This means that living in modern society, it is inevitable to avoid stressful situations. Most of the readers might be curious and most interested in the way to deal with these problems. However, before talking about the solution to stress, we have to know the subject (maybe an enemy) well.
So, what is the stress?
Actually, do you know that there are two kinds of stress? There are scientifically two kinds of stress. ‘Eustress’ and ‘Distress’. Eustress means that people can feel a burden for the moment, but if they deal with eustress well, their lives will be better. However, even if people try hard to deal with and adapt to the stress, but it gives anxiety and depression, it is called ‘distress’. Lazarus, an American psychologist, reported that even if a factor of stress is exactly the same, it can be accepted differently by each people.
‘Eustress’ or ‘Distress’
Let’s talk about ‘distress’ first. Maybe most people who say “I’m stressful” means ‘distress’. Distress can cause a lot of problems in the mind and body. In mind, people can suffer from depression and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, they are more susceptible to eating disorder, sleeping disorder, and malfunction of the immune system. So how can we deal with distress? I think most people heard that ‘Do things or have a hobby which makes you happy.' It is half correct, and half not. We have to find a ‘healthy and proper hobby’ What is a ‘Healthy Hobby’? There are a number of hobbies. For example, some people drink alcohol, some people draw pictures, and some people listen to music. However, we have to be careful that some hobbies can give stress to us on the contrary in the long term. If someone loves watching Netflix all night long when they get stressed, he or she cannot do their work they have to do. Then he or she will later get into trouble and get stressed. This is a bad cycle. We have to find a hobby that can fresh our mind and doesn’t give a bad aftermath. If stress gets worse and uncontrollable later, a good rule is to visit a psychiatric clinic. There is a misconception that visiting psychiatric clinics is something awkward. However, it is truly good to talk with a specialist and get a prescription. There’s nothing wrong with that. It will help to look after our mind and have a healthy mind.
Then, how about ‘eustress’? How can we optimize this good stress? Doctor John White from Stanford University gave advice about some ways to optimize stress well. Firstly, we have to notice that stress can improve the power of memory. Stress caused by tension arouses the brain and helps us to memorize things better. Moreover, adequate stress can strengthen the immune system. Stress can be an energizer for people’s lives and powerful opportunity for self-development. If people who get stressed know these facts, they can take comfort that stress can rather help them. Most case, people feel stressful because they know that they are getting stressed. This is a vicious circle that is hard to throw off. So, let’s try our best to think positively about the stress. Even if we cannot change the surrounding environment, we can change our mind set. Stress can be our ally, but if we do not try to make the stress on the same side, then it can be a powerful enemy.
A RECORD OF MY EVER-CHANGING SELF-CONCEPT: SOMETIMES I'M SEOUL, OTHER TIMES I'M SONGDO
by Hemin Pho Vu
Once you have officially become a Yonseian, you will know that every freshman spends a year at the International Campus located in Songdo. During that year, they will participate in RC programs (a series of collective activities covering a round of different fields such as arts, languages, sports, science and many more). As an IID major, I was a bit surprised when the school announced that the students of HASS (Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) and Integrated Science and Engineering Division (ISED) Division will spend their four years taking classes in Songdo. While students from other divisions will move to the campus in Seoul to continue their remaining three years of university, my confirmed stay in Incheon prompted me to feel both exclusive and muddled with different kinds of thoughts at the same time. I never would have expected that I would live in this city for the next 4 four years. Talking about Korea, people will think of Seoul first. Living in the capital city is usually viewed as a “cool” thing, let alone the work and entertainment opportunities that also gather themselves here.
After the first semester, I changed my previous opinions about Songdo. The enrollment in a large number of classes kept me from travelling outside of Songdo. I barely had enough time to go further than the school campus’ area. Therefore, I made use of all my ability and my decent time calculation and management skills trying to explore Songdo’s locations through recommendations online. Of course, that also didn’t happen very often as the amount of classwork and club activities gradually filled the gaps even in my schedule for the weekends. What I could do after school were mostly countless unintentional walks at the stadium next to our dormitory and unplanned window shopping in Triple Street that often had me end up in the stunning intersections of Hyundai Premium Outlet. Whether it's eating, chatting with friends about classes and campus dating, going to the mall, or running in the rain, I always felt a sense of peace in Songdo. This tranquillity has come in contact with the personality that most people don’t know I'm most comfortable with - introversion. The non-stop busyness made me cherish the moments when I could take in the fresh breath of air in the most romantic way (like the scene where the main actor/actress inhales) without the fear of being seen by others. I realized that I talked less and less, and still, I was happier than ever.
When I went to Seoul to buy art supplies for my Color Design class or to produce the upcoming video for The Yonsei Annals (an English journalism club at Yonsei), I brought with me a slight taste of Songdo, standing in the stream of people going in all directions. In Seoul, I met my friends and walked from stores to stores on Hongdae Street. I also got lost very often. I would constantly approach people on the street and ask them how to get somewhere with my limited yet slowly growing Korean proficiency. During these times, I spoke a lot (and I felt like that), breaking my tendency to keep quiet in the public. Holding up a camera and hitting the “record” button on the subway was no longer something that stressed me out, as long as I hit the border of Seoul Metropolitan City. I realized that I would switch to a different person when time and the condition allowed.
Just like when I would be in Seoul for a while and then again in Songdo, my identity would naturally change depending on where I was at. That is why I truly believe there are times when I am Seoul, while the rest I will be Songdo when I answer questions related to myself. This is true homeostasis that I have found in my solo life in Korea, amidst these trying times.
DECEMBER 2020 ARTICLES
LANGUAGES SHAPE IDENTITY: WHY NOT LEARN NEW LANGUAGES?
by Ja-Young Kim
What is identity? Identity, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, means “who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others.” Personally, when I reflect upon my identity, I think I haven’t been able to establish my complete identity yet; finding who I am is a homework that needs to be constantly reflected upon during my life. However, thinking back to the incomplete identity that I possess today, I think the factor that played a crucial role in it is language.
Why does language even matter in shaping identity? Probably the biggest reason is because of its main role in shaping individuals’ thoughts and images. As language helps one socialize with each other, it helps build relationships – another main factor that helps in identity establishment. Also, language helps others create an image about another person; how one speaks and the attitude that one shows determine their outside identity shown to others. Finally, the dialect of each person decides the identity of the person, in that it contains the ethnic and religious form or accent of the group that the person is a part of.
Returning to my experience, I feel that learning new languages and practicing them has helped me a lot in building up upon my identity. First, learning and speaking Korean from a child helped me establish my foremost identity; what determines my ethnicity, my nationality and my cultural values. However, learning my first foreign language, English, from when I was 8 years old made me develop upon my identity as a person capable of speaking a second language; I could now interact with more people with different ethnic backgrounds. Especially living in America as a Korean and interacting with other peers of a different cultural background made me have another identity of being a foreigner and of being a person not sharing the same cultural values as them.
My second foreign language is French. If English made me develop my identity and experience the identity of being a foreigner, French, I would say, was the language that made me establish a more mature identity. When I learned French in middle school and went to a foreign language high school to major in French, French became the language I wanted to perfect in, a language that made me proud and a language that made me test my limits. Through learning and practicing this language, I can certainly say it made me mature as I could build up my capacities.
Now, I’m currently learning my third foreign language, Spanish. Learning Spanish is building yet another layer of identity to me that I couldn’t possess before. Learning and practicing Spanish from university makes me recognize my love for language and makes me recognize that I am indeed someone who has passion for language and the studies of language.
Like this, learning four new languages throughout my life till now made me constantly develop new identities. I’m planning to learn a fifth language hopefully later on. Why don’t you try and take up a new language to build up your identity?
NOVEMBER 2020 ARTICLES
ME, MYSELF, AND MY MULTITUDES
by Latifa Sekarini
Gone are the days when I dedicated hours to pore over my Instagram feed. I’d make sure each post was color-coordinated enough (alternating tirelessly between VSCO’s M5 and A6 filters) to look like a matching set but still capable enough to stand on its own if a post next to it “flopped.” Making sure to sweep through accounts with a larger following, I took notes on what I considered to be useful for increasing engagement, likes, and followers. Perhaps it was a certain aesthetic or a perfect color palette and bio, or witty tweets and captions, or maybe even a quirky username that prompted people to click the “follow” button. It took me a while to realize that there was a distinct kind of anxiety that came with commitments to this specific community.
As an insecure ninth-grader, becoming part of bookstagram and book Twitter alleviated the pressure of having to constantly post my face online to show the world “I was here!” My captions didn't have to be Tumblr memes packed with puns because I was free to rant about books and exams. I didn’t have to slap on mascara and eyeliner or a Snapchat filter to attract followers and comments. The best thing out of bookstagram was the reduced pressure of having to explain my interests to everyone else.
For a while, interacting with new friends who were equally as obsessed with Luke Castellan of the Percy Jackson series—or any other fictional character for that matter—meant the world to me. For once, I wasn’t a social pariah (my fellow middle schoolers had been unexceptionally unkind to me), and having people go crazy over Percy Jackson dam jokes in my mentions sounded like something I could handle for the next few months. But it wasn’t long before my insecurities manifested in subtle ways.
I gained followers over time, but as time went on, I felt too insecure to interact with new followers, especially if they were considered “big accounts.” There was this constant pressure to make a witty joke that nobody had thought of, or respond to another tweet in a way that’ll blow up within 24 hours. Being the people-pleaser I was, I began to feed my own hunger for approval. I’d buy whatever book was being discussed by those on my timeline, even if it didn’t necessarily pique my interest. Some of them managed to prove me wrong, but one thing I learned was that you can never have too many books revolving around straight white men. Still, I pretended to be interested in reading books with main characters that I probably couldn’t stand in real life. It wasn’t long before my tweets became performative attempts to get famous instead of genuine thoughts and events. I figured if I couldn’t keep up with the conversation, then that was on me.
A few months after the start of tenth grade, I decided to post sporadically, alternating between filters. I was still going mad over fictional characters, but I didn’t feel the constant need to curate an image of myself that consisted of a one-dimensional personality. As I began to spend less and less time obsessing over my own image on social media, the labels I’d set up for other people began to fade away.
These big accounts weren’t solely obsessed with books or movies. Sure, they dedicated a large section of their time to a specific interest, but people are made up of multitudes. Looking back on it, I realize now that my self-hatred became a filter of its own. It took away the fact that other people were multi-dimensional and so was I. I’m an amalgamation of the things I read, the people I choose to surround myself with, and all the Astrologer Poet tweets I’ve liked, and so much more. And it’s okay if the list is ongoing and non-exhaustive. I still can’t wait to meet the rest of me.
OCTOBER 2020 ARTICLES
THOUGHTS ON IDENTITY
By Keonhee Cho
Warning: This essay does not follow a typical essay structure that one would expect to see in a well thought out writing. This is, on the other hand, a soliloquy of a freshman student, spitting out some things on how he thinks one should live out his/her life.
In the movie Good Will Hunting, Sean (starred by Robin Williams) asks Will (acted out by Matt Damon) whether his reading of Oliver Twist would make him capable of understanding how difficult it is to be an orphan. Of course not. And even if Sean could sympathize with Will’s experience of being an orphan, that still would not be enough to understand everything about Will because being an orphan isn’t the only aspect that makes Will an individual.
No individual can be encapsulated by a single identity because every person has multiple dimensions of identity. If we attempted to separate all human beings into different groups, each person would have a group of their own - a one of a kind - because everyone has different experiences and is exposed to different environments.
In Jordan Peterson’s lecture on Marionettes and Individuals, he introduces a concept coined by Carl Jung as retrogressive restoration of the persona. It basically means that when you can’t create a new identity even after you experience new things, you try to go back to your old identity. The problem is, you can’t. You aren’t exactly the same as your old self because you changed. So what you do is curving pieces out of yourself to fit back into the “old me”, which isn’t actually good for you.
What I want to tell you is that you don’t have to fear about the outcomes that will be generated from your actions. You don’t have to try to fit into the identity mold that you didn’t expect. It is more worthwhile to think about how you should live out tomorrow with the days that you have lived.
STRESS: A FRIEND OR A FOE?
By Yukta Tyagi
Stress has always been perceived as a harmful emotion or feeling within one’s body. Stress causes cells to contract, which is an extremely unhealthy condition for the body. According to the UN, it is associated with cardiovascular diseases, and the belief that stress is harmful to the body kills about 2.8 million people every year. However, it's just the belief that kills one. What if one decides to change their views on stress? What if one believes stress is good for one’s health and approaches it positively? What if one makes a friend out of stress rather than a foe? These questions may sound absurd to the readers, but according to scientific research, it is possible to change one’s mindset about stress to use it to their advantage such that they live a healthier and positive life.
Stress is beneficial for one’s body if they decide to view it in a positive light. When one is stressed, the heart tends to pace faster. Instead of viewing the feeling as anxiety or pressure, one can view it as preparation by the body to help overcome the challenge one is or will be facing. When the heart paces at an increased rate, it pumps more blood, resulting in increased oxygen, reaching one’s brain to think, rationalize, and face the situation.
Oxytocin is the hormone that makes one elated. However, oxytocin is also a stress hormone. When one is stressed, oxytocin is released, resulting in craving contact with loved ones and increasing empathy, compassion, care, and resilience. Hence, when one is stressed, one’s body tells them to reach out to loved ones to relax the body and reduce the tension in the blood cells. The hormone also protects the heart from cardiovascular attacks. The fact that one’s bodies have its anti-stress mechanism is fascinating and proves that stress might not be harmful. When viewed positively, stress prepares one mentally and physically and teaches one to trust themselves to overcome the challenge they face, asking one to reach out to people and speak about the negative emotions they feel instead of bottling it up.
Scientific research proves that people who view stress as a beneficial agent have shown better results in their tasks and live healthier and relaxed lives than those who do not. Stress is not bad; only the belief that it is harmful needs to change. Stress tells one that one can overcome their life obstacles. Stress also helps one realize that one need not walk down the road of life alone. Stress makes one self-confident. A small change in one’s thought process about stress can lead to a more extended, healthier, and relaxed lifestyle or can result in a stress-induced heart attack at a younger age.
As the author of this article, I hope that our readers will recall this advice whenever they feel pressured and choose to see stress as friends to live better lives.
JUNE 2020 ARTICLES
MY FAVOURITE WAYS TO DESTRESS
by Aamna Shehzad
Baking: Baking might seem a little stressful at first, especially if you have no previous experience or particular interest in it. Working hard to make something and then getting to eat it feels rewarding and the food tastes better when you actually work hard to make it. Recipes are only one Google search away and can be as simple or complicated as you want. Experimenting around with different ingredients is also fun and allows you to be creative and see what works and doesn’t. Brownies, cookies, truffles, cupcakes…all of these delicious desserts are easy to make and customizable.
Painting: Painting is a very creative and satisfying activity. You don’t have to be a great painter or anything; keep in mind that you are painting to relax, not to create a masterpiece or anything. Poster or acrylic colours might be your go to because they don’t really need specific tools like watercolor paper, paint thinner, turpentine, etc. Mixing around colours and painting whatever comes to mind is very relaxing and fun. Furthermore, you can take inspiration from existing paintings or artists you like.
Watching Nature Documentaries: Nature documentaries can be very relaxing and informative to watch. The crisp visuals and the journey into a world many of us living in urbanized cities might not be familiar with are good enough reasons to watch nature documentaries. You can further learn more about nature, animals, and landscapes all over the world and gain a deeper appreciation for the earth. These documentaries might also call your attention to the problems nature faces like climate change, poaching, forest fires, etc., and you will have a deeper desire to support organizations that combat these issues.
MY TIPS FOR DESTRESSING
by Chenyu Pan
Stay positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase "good" HDL cholesterol.
Meditate. This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation's close relatives, yoga and prayer, can also relax the mind and body.
Exercise. Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or play tennis, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only helps you destress, it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Unplug. It's impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid emails and TV news. Take time each day — even if it's for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.
Find small ways to destress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favorite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.
MAY 2020 ARTICLES
WAYS TO DESTRESS
By Seungmin Shin and Dahee Lee
Exercise
This does not have to be a tough full body workout at the gym. Walk around the park, jog for a while, ride a bike, or play a sports game with your friends. Everything that requires you to use your body is enough. By exercising in some kind, you will see dynamic improvement in your mental health and mood. It has been scientifically proven that when exercising, your body releases chemicals that help you feel more relaxed and can help you deal with depression and stress. Also, by fulling immersing yourself into the physical activity, you free yourself from thinking about your concerns and negative feelings and will eventually help you destress.
Listen to music
Listening to your favorite music is another great way to distress. Whatever genre it be, just be fully absorbed in your favorite songs. It is known that listening to your favorite tunes helps you get naturally high and helps your brain release dopamine which leads to an increased degree of happiness and joy. It also counteracts the effects of chronic stress, which leads to overall well-being in long term. If you can play an instrument, play your favorite music. If you can sing, sing along the song (or hum along). Whatever way it be, just unconsciously enjoying the music and following along the melody is a highly recommended way of distress.
Make a timetable
People would wonder why making a timetable will help them distress. But timetable can set you free from stress. Because of the special situation we are facing because of the online class, students have more freedom to use their time. In many cases, they don’t have live classes, allowing them to take their classes at midnight if they want. This might sound good at a first glance, but too much freedom is now a source of stress for the students. This freedom blurrs the line between the time of studying and the time of self-improvement (including enjoying free time with their friends), and this makes students feel as if they have assignments 24/7. However, this continuous stress could be fixed with a timetable. When we make a timetable and strictly follow that schedule, not only we will be able to use our time wisely, but also will set us free from continuous stress.
Challenge yourself in different areas
The ‘area’ in this case does not mean areas only in academic fields. This could be anything, from learning instruments to learning Vietnamese. Students can get a source of energy by challenging oneself to something they are interested in. For example, I myself is currently learning how to act and sing in amateur theatre company, which is now something that makes me going. This might look hard at first, but do not be afraid. The new area you stepped into can become a fillip for you.