I don’t know about you, but I am getting to the point in the semester where I feel like my teachers are secretly conspiring to find the most effective way to kill me with stress. I often find myself glaring at my planner in disgust, knowing that I have a mountain of things to do but not wanting to do anything but curl up under my blankets and hide from my responsibilities. It is almost like I have so much to do that it isn’t even worth doing any of it (that’s a thing right?). If you’re in this mid-semester slump like me and feel like the stress is hanging over you like a wave about to come crashing down, try one of these ten things to reduce your stress and keep pushing through.
1. Get Moving
Whether that is a ten-mile run or a leisurely one-mile stroll, get outside and get some blood pumping. The endorphins will improve your mood, and the break in nature will help you feel refreshed and reenergized.
2. Watch a stand-up comedian
Or a cartoon. Or cute videos of puppies falling down. The point is to get laughing, because laughter is proven to reduce the physical effects of stress on the body, like fatigue. So take that much-needed study break and get in a good chuckle, because it really will help!
3. Snuggle a fluffy family member
As if I needed another reason to want a dog, dog owners have been scientifically proven to be less stressed. Go cuddle up to that cute pet of yours because they’re happy to help reduce your stress!
4. Get a massage
While these obviously reduce physical pain you may be feeling from being all tense from the stress, they are also helpful in fighting off stress (at least temporarily). Plus, as an added bonus, massages can also help improve your body image, which may not translate directly to stress reduction but, come on, positive body image is a great thing by itself.
5. Listen to music
Music triggers biochemical stress reducers that can help you relax, so listening to music while you do your homework really could help you feel less stressed out. So put on your favorite song and get to working!
6. Journal
Being able to reflect on the things on your mind can help you to see things in perspective and feel a sense of relief. Devote a few minutes every day to write down anything that is on your mind, and then you can let it go so it can stop bringing you stress.
7. Join a Religious Community
It has been proven that a major reason people practice religion is for stress relief, and a study conducted on college students showed that those who practiced a religion were less stressed than those who did not. So whatever your preference may be, practicing some religion will help you to chill out.
8. Be grateful
Sometimes stress can make you feel like the world is ganging up on you, and it can be tough to stay positive. In order to combat the overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety, take time each day to show gratitude for something in your life. Whether you write it down or just reflect, taking the time to be thankful for what is going right can make the stressful things in your life seem much less important.
9. Plant one on that special someone
Research suggests that kissing releases certain chemicals that ease hormones associated with stress. Also, forming strong, positive relationships is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, so don’t just go kissing any random person – kiss someone that you have a great relationship with!
10. SLOW DOWN
Whether you choose to meditate, practice deep breathing, or just lay down for a few minutes each day, it is important to give yourself time to slow down at least once a day. If you have a time to relax, no matter how short, your day can seem less daunting and may just help you survive your responsibilities.