As finals approach, more and more students are succumbing to stress and becoming motionless blobs that only come out for food (and only food). Now more than ever, it is important to stress the positive effects of proper self care. Teachers are piling on papers, tests that aren't finals, final projects, and actual finals, all while life seems to be falling apart and we have to move out not soon after. Obviously, it is important to work hard. You are almost done, and if you can pull through and finish strong you will be so proud of yourself and able to take a well deserved summer break. But I know these last few weeks can be tedious, stressful, strenuous, and downright exhausting. So here are my tips and tricks to kicking butt during final's week and taking care of yourself at the same time.
1. Step one: Don't Panic
As my favorite music professor always says in Theory class, "Step one, Don't Panic"
It seems silly, but this gif is a perfect example of how I end up feeling when I let things start to overwhelm me. That's why for me the first part of self care is breathing, taking a step back, and trying to look at everything from an objective point of view.
2. Make a List
Writing down everything you need to do in the next few weeks (while it seems like extra work) is a GREAT way to declutter your brain and actually makes things look a bit more doable. As you cross things off, you start to feel better. You do lots of small things and suddenly your list is a whole lot smaller. Since it's all on paper in front of you it's easier to keep it from getting all jumbled in your head!
3. First things First
As silly as it sounds, sometimes all you can handle accomplishing by the time you get home is what is 100% due the next day. THAT IS OKAY. You will be able to try again tomorrow to get ahead, but as long as you put one foot in front of the other (ha) and do first whats DUE first, you will still be one step closer to being finished.
4. Routine Routine Routine
One of my personal favorite ways to take care of myself in times of high stress and low energy is to have a nighttime (and sometimes morning) ritual that I keep exactly the same. Once your brain is fried and you've done what you can for the day, doing a set routine in preparation for bed not only calms and relaxes you, but also shows your body that it is time to rest (or time to be awake). Use a face wash you don't normally use, wear your retainer if its been a while, or brush your hair extra gently. Be kind to you, your body will thank you.
5. Bring it around town
I think almost everybody's least favorite stress advice is "exercise". I also think it's because we all know it works and we all think we definitely DON'T have TIME with all the THINGs we need to DO so OBVIOUSLY it wouldn't help. I'm definitely guilty of not exercising even though I know it might be the best thing for me and my stress levels, but at the very least, sometimes when there is just too much happening and you can't quite think clearly, a brisk walk about town is an easy way to clear your head.
6. Treat yo' self
(Is Allie going to use this gif EVERY article she writes? maybe)
Seriously though. You are working your butt off this finals week. There is nothing wrong with heading to your favorite coffee shop and treating yourself to your coffee of choice to help you through that awful essay you have to write. Or to AVOID that awful essay you write. We gotta do what we gotta do and sometimes that is "treat. yo. self." Did you spend all day working? Get some friends together, dress up, go out for no reason, and talk the night away. Detox and you'll be more willing to start again tomorrow.
7. Suffer together
8. Sleep when it is time to sleep, eat when it is time to eat.
I'm gonna give you two Momma Hoag-isms, the sentence above and "Love well, eat well, be well." And my mom is right, sometimes the best things we can do for our bodies is get a (semi) regular sleep schedule, and eat something (semi) healthy at the normal times for breakfast lunch and dinner. You would be amazed how something so small can affect your mood and willpower in times like these. Also drink water!
9. Speaking of Moms, call yours!
Sometimes when life is getting you down and you realize the hardest part about being an adult is you don't know who to call when you feel like crying, you can still call your Mom. Or your dad! Or a Mom-like figure! Seriously, calling someone who is there for you no matter what is such a great way to relieve some stress, get some positive vibes and encouragement, and just remember that there are people out there who love you. When school is overwhelming, its nice to call your Mom(person) and feel like a kid again.
10. (and this is a big one)
You've done it before, so go do it again.
As Gif-Shia says, at some point we have to JUST......................................DO IT!
And here's the cool thing, you've done it before! There have been other times in your life that have felt this way. This probably isn't your first finals week, and who knows what else in your life has seemed like it was the end of the world and you'd never make it through. But guess what? You did. And that means, just like last time you can do it again. It's hard to stay positive and see the end out of this crazy time, but you will.
