Everyone goes through times where you feel as if your already full plate is overflowing to the point where you can’t even think about what you have to do in a day without panicking and screaming on the inside. Being in college especially, this feeling is all too familiar to a young adult who is working hard every day to reach their ultimate goal of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or even a doctorate. With so much stress cluttering your brain, it is essential to take time for yourself to recuperate. Of course, every person is different, but there are still several ways a person can relieve unwanted stress, even for a short amount of time.
1. Taking a walk
Whether it’s a nice, sunny day or a cold winter afternoon, people often find it relaxing to take a walk through the park or even down the street. Being out in nature can provide a calming atmosphere and clear your mind of any stress so that, when you do return to that research paper or group project, you will feel refreshed and ready to go.
2. Going for a drive
Sometimes, it is just nice to get away from everything for a while. Going out on a short drive provides an escape from whatever issues may be invading your mind at the time. Go ahead, drive with the windows down, go drive in the middle of the night, play your favorite music or just drive in silence; metaphorically escaping from your source of stress provides the mind with a mental vacation so that you return feeling like you have at least gotten a small break.
3. Listening to music
Instead of sitting in frustration while you attempt to type up a 15-page paper that is due the next day, you can listen to music while you write it to strengthen your creativity and keep your brain awake. We have all had those times where we have been sitting at a coffee shop, our dorm, or the library squirming because of a lack of idea or motivation, and listening to music while working on whatever is bringing you stress can aid in unblocking your writer’s block or giving you the amount of motivation you need to finish the job.
4. Playing video games
No matter the level of gaming you do, whether it’s Candy Crush or Call of Duty, video games can be used as a distraction from reality. While these games may contain stressful situations, they certainly help you to forget about your life’s stresses for a while, and that makes all the difference in the end.
5. Creating art
It may seem contradictory to try to think of something beautiful to create while you are trying to get away from the stress of having a billion things to do, but who said art has to be organized? There are several types of art that you can create that can act as a release for your feelings. There’s abstract art, which can be as messy and nonsensical as you want. Additionally, there’s poetry, writing in a journal, and even just drawing something that is right in front of you. All of these ultimately have the same outcome – relieving your unwanted, built up stress.
6. Napping
Who says that a quick nap won’t fix anything? Sure, it’s a way to procrastinate, but it also makes you feel like a new person. I don’t know about you, but I have taken 20-minute power naps before, and I felt ready to take on the world (and also looking forward to sleeping later that night). Napping can act as a way to restart your brain and give you the energy you need to properly think through things and manage the stress.
7. Retail therapy
Whether you are a boy or a girl, retail therapy is always a good idea. Treat yourself with a Frappuccino or the newest video game. Give yourself a present for working as hard as you have been and then return to your to-do list after having some fun first.
8. Cleaning
This one may sound a bit odd to some, but cleaning can act as a way to declutter your life and mind. If your dorm is a complete mess and you are extremely distracted while you are trying to do math homework and type a paper, go on a cleaning rampage to ease your mind (and get a chore or two out of the way in the process).
9. Working out
Exercising is already proven to relieve stress, so why not go to your rec center or basement and work out for a bit? You don’t even need to have any equipment; feel free to take a run around campus or do some push-ups and crunches. Not only will you feel better mentally, but you’ll also be getting in shape, and what is so bad about that?
10. Making a schedule
The most organized and easiest way to relieve your stress is to make a schedule. Plan out each and every day until your list of stress runs out – and don’t forget to leave in some time for relaxing in between a few of things. It may seem frustrating to plan out your life constantly, but it’s much better to have a plan than to worry every second of the day about all of the things you still have left to do.
