Whether your mental breakdown happens at the beginning, middle, or end of the semester, every student will at least get to a breaking point. The important part is learning how to prevent it before it happens. After some help from Google and personal experience, I composed a list of some of my favorite ways to distress before reaching this point.
1. Laugh
The act of laughing lowers stress hormones in the body. Find a friend that you find hilarious and spend more time with them, or turn on your favorite TV show. Laughing should automatically put you in a good mood, so why not work on those abs along the way?
2. Have a jam session
One of my favorite things to do is drive around and jam out to music with my friends. Dancing and attempting to hit all those ridiculous notes with your best friend is a great way to take your mind off things. Even though listening to your favorite hits sounds more appealing, make sure you end it with some nature sounds or smooth jazz to bring your heart rate back down so you can focus.
3. Talk to someone about it
Don't keep things bottled up. Eventually you will reach a point where you can't contain it anymore, and it will blow up in your face. Find someone you trust to not spread things, and let it out. Sometimes just talking about it allows you to find the solution a lot faster than you would have otherwise.
4. Write about it
Maybe what you're going through is too personal to talk to someone else, or it's too difficult to make it through a conversation without a break down. Write about it so you get it out of your system, and no one else has to know.
5. Invest in bubble wrap
Throwback to the good 'ole childhood memories where you never knew stress existed.
6. Watch what you eat
Make sure to feed your body more fruits and vegetables than sugars. It's easy to just grab a bag of chips or a candy bar when you're in a hurry, but don't fall into that habit.
7. Take a trip to the animal shelter
Nothing better to take your mind off things than loving on animals that don't always receive the attention they deserve.
8. Exercise
Not only does exercising make you feel better about yourself, it also gets your blood pumping and relaxes your muscles. Going for a jog is perfect to clear your mind, but a walk will work to get your blood going.
9. Get more sleep
Getting more sleep doesn't necessary mean taking more naps, it means going to bed earlier. A horrible sleeping schedule can take a toll on the body, so don't add more to the stress level by not getting enough sleep.
10. Take a deep breath and a step back
Sometimes removing yourself from the situation is all that is needed. Take a deep breath, and ask yourself if there is another way to approach whatever is stressing you out. The situation can always be worse, so be thankful It's not.
11. Have quiet time with the Lord
Thanking God for what you do have helps take your mind off what you wish you could change. Personally, if I don't spend enough time with the Lord that week it effects how I approach things. We were not created to walk through life alone, so talk to him about it.
