By Allie SontagAs college students, we are no strangers to stress. The struggle to balance the demands of school, friends, family, work, extracurricular activities, and the pursuit of a career is all too real. The fight to keep this balance can cause a lot of unwanted stress. While stress can be a motivator in small amounts, there is a point where it becomes unhealthy and all-consuming. Below are some tips to reduce stress and find your inner “zen” when life’s pulling you in all directions. 1. Take a Nap…or Just Go to Sleep
Our bodies need sleep. But when you have a million things on your plate, it’s the last thing you think you have time for. Start making time for it. Sleep deprivation affects our ability to process thoughts, manage emotions and, you guessed it, handle stress. Give your body the break it needs, whether it be a 20-minute power nap, a couple hours, or the rest of the night. Your body will thank you later. 2. Meditate Meditation has been shown to have numerous benefits, one of which is managing stress. Taking 20, 10, even 5 minutes out of your day to close your eyes and be still is enough to re-center your mind. If you don’t even have that amount of time (which I’m betting you do), close your eyes and take three deep breaths. It always works to calm me down. If you’re currently feeling stressed, try it right now and see how you feel after. Any small break you can take from the source of your stress is worth it. 3. Exercise Run. Jump rope. Lift weights. Do yoga. Swim. Go to a spin class. Anything to get your body moving and endorphins flowing. Exercise, much like meditation, has a variety of health benefits and is an excellent way to reduce stress. Don’t like working out? Go for a walk! Even a small walk around your block can be enough to alleviate stress. Get your blood pumping and sweat away your worries. I can almost guarantee you will more calm and centered after. 4. Talk with Someone Close to You Vent sessions are my favorite form of therapy, next to bubble baths. Sharing your feelings and worries with a close friend or family member is a fantastic way to lift the stress right off your shoulders. Having someone listen to what is stressing me out and offer support and reassurance always puts me at ease. 5. Do Something that Makes You Happy What are your favorite hobbies or activities? Do you love painting? Reading? Shopping? Playing a sport? Watching your favorite show on Netflix? Whatever it is you enjoy doing, take a break from your studying and do it. If it makes you happy and gets you to think about something other than your final paper, it is worth setting aside time for to relieve some of your stress. 6. Listen to Music Put on your favorite song. Sing and dance along to it. Kick your feet up and relax to your favorite album. Music is a fantastic stress reliever when you listen to something that relaxes you or puts you in a happy mood. Giving yourself a dance break is also a good form of cardio, so really you’re getting both the benefits of music and exercise at once! 7. Laugh it Out A good laugh always puts me in a better mood, and makes that project due this week seem a little less daunting. Hang out with friends that know how to make you laugh. Watch your favorite comedy movie or TV show. Take a study break and look up funny cat videos on YouTube. Laughter is truly one of life’s best medicines. 8. Get Outside Being surrounded by nature always centers me and helps me feel at peace with the world. It may sound a bit corny, but taking time to appreciate nature helps you feel connected to earth, more stable and grounded. By stepping outside and admiring your surroundings, appreciating the beauty of nature can offer fresh perspective and clear your mind of worry. 9. Clean and Organize Your Room If you get stressed out by cleaning and organizing, this probably isn’t the best stress reducer for you. But if tidying up is therapeutic for you, and you are looking for a way to take your mind off your interview next week, break out the broom. When your room is in order, it makes you feel like your life is also in order. A clean and organized space also brings you a sense of mental clarity, which is sure to elevate your mood and reduce your stress. 10. Pamper Yourself Treat yo’self. Whether it’s a massage, your favorite comfort food, or a nice long bubble bath, take some time out of your busy day to reward your hard work. It could be treating yourself to your favorite latte from Starbucks, or purchasing that designer bag you’ve had your eye on for forever. Whatever it is, minimize your stress by treating yourself to something special. You deserve it.
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