It is a universal truth that college is stressful. Finals, on the other hand, take the stress to a whole new level. Even if you don't have exams, you probably still have papers and the fact that the semester is coming to a close means it's crunch time. The pressure is on.
It's best, at this time, to keep calm. So, if you find yourself drowning in study sessions and fast approaching deadlines, consider these stress-reducing activities.
1. Call a friend to vent.
Nothing makes a bad day seem better like having someone to lean on.
2. Watch cat videos on YouTube.
Or dogs. Or turtles eating strawberries. Or Koalas crossing the street. Whatever you’re into.
3. Drink a cup of green tea.
Unless you’re about to sleep, in which case, an herbal tea is best.
4. Go to the park and people watch.
It’s like being at the zoo, but it’s free!
5. Work out.
I know. I know. The last thing you want to do when you’re stressed is be active, but it’ll wake you up, make you energized and ready to work!
6. Eat some ice cream.
You can't be anything but happy when you're eating ice cream. My favorite stress ice cream is Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia!
7. Clean.
Cleaning is a perfect activity for stress relief because it gets you out of your head and into the moment. It’s just like meditating except you’re getting stuff done.
8. Make a work schedule.
Make a list of all the things you have to do and assign yourself a day to get it done. Having a plan will make you feel so much better!
9. Watch a stand-up comedy special on Netflix.
Laughter is the best natural stress reliever. I personally recommend Iliza Shlesinger’s War Paint or Trevor Noah’s Afraid of the Dark.
10. Sleep early.
If all else fails, sleep. Everything always looks better in the morning.
It can be tempting to just work and work and work until it's all over, but if you do that you will quickly burn out and that won't help your grade. When you're at your best, not only will you be happier and healthier, you will be able to focus better. Try to find a balance between work and relaxation, stay calm, and most of all, stay positive.
