Emotion: depression
Problem: academic pressure
Situation: I am currently depressed with my grades at school and that I am not getting certain subject matter. It's causing me a great deal of emotional stress

user: Hello

assistant: Hi there. How are you doing today?

user: I'm doing alright, and yourself?

assistant: I'm doing pretty well. Do you have anything going on today?

user: Yeah I ended up going biking earlier and now I am doing school work. How about you? Do you have anything going on today?

assistant: Oh biking is an excellent activity to do with everything going on. How are you feeling with it all? What are you studying in school? I'm just getting household chores done, nothing too exciting.

user: I'm feeling alright. The current pandemic situation in my city has made it restricted to be with people other than immediate family so that's been tough. I'm currently studying finance and I'm loving it. I'm in my last year so I can't wait to finish that up

assistant: I understand that it is really difficult to be kept on lockdown. Are you biking regularly to help with the feeling of being stuck inside?

user: Yes. It's great that my city has a program where we can get a bike pass for $99/year. There are bike stations set up all over my city so that has helped with my sense of being cooped up. It's really helpful in these times to find something to keep yourself productive and mindful that things are going to get better

assistant: I agree, It's really great that you are finding ways to get out of the house. Have you tried video chatting with the people you can't be around right now? That has really helped me not feel so alone right now.

user: I have and that has helped for me as well. I also have a dog so that has helped me have the feeling of being around "someone" even though they're not human. I haven't video chatted anyone in quite some time though, I probably will do that later on today!

assistant: Well, I think it's great that you are finding things like biking, playing with your dog, and video chatting to help get you through these times. Lately, I've been focusing on self care a lot more to help with de stressing with everything going on. Have you tried this?

user: I haven't tried that, I'll have to try something similar. I haven't been focusing on self care at all recently

assistant: Self care is so important even when there isn't a pandemic. It can help you connect with yourself and make you feel less overwhelmed and just give you YOU time. Some of my favorite ways to do this is listening to podcasts, meditating and focusing on my breathing, listening to music, and pamper myself with face masks etc. I suggest you practice self care starting once a week and work it up from there giving yourself at least an hour a day if you can

user: Do you have any recommendations for medicating? I've been looking to get into it as I know it has helped many people. But I haven't found any easy way to divulge into the topic. I appreciate you recommending that I spend an hour a day. I think something like this could better myself into living a much happier and fulfilled life.

assistant: I suggest listening to Jay shetty he is on most podcasts apps. personally, I use stitcher. If you can download a podcast app you can just type in "Meditation" and it will pull up several options to try out. Another great app is called MyLife Meditation by stop. breath. think. That's a great started meditation to try.

user: I think I'm going to try to start with your podcast that you recommended. I already listen to podcasts daily so that wouldn't be hard to fit into my routine! :)

assistant: It sounds like this could be something that would fit right in with your life and even help improve it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! There is so many great books out there and other podcasts as well about self care.

user: Thank you so much for all your help today and guiding me in the right direction. I truly am thankful for speaking with you today :)

assistant: I'm so glad I was able to help. Enjoy the rest of your day and remember to set aside sometime for yourself. It was great chatting with you.