Mid-semester is when stress tends to build up the most, with mid terms and projects needing to be complete, work builds up under your feet. Ask any student is stressed and they will say "yes" in a heartbeat. This article will help you reduce some of that stress and continue on a less stressed path to the end of the semester. Here are 11 way you can step back from the work and relax:
1. Be active
Go to the gym or do any kind of physical activity. Focusing on a physical activity will let your mind wonder from work and gives you time to get all the stress out by sweating and overall you’ll end up feeling better.
2. Go on a Walk
Go take a walk at any point of the day to clear your head. Getting fresh air will also make you more relaxed and more awake.
3. Naps
let your body recharge from overload. Your body needs rest especially if you are on a messed up time schedule for sleep. Take a 20-minute nap and feel the results, you will be more energized and ready to take on a task.
4. Journal
take the time to write out thoughts, feelings, and what is stressing you out. Let your mind take control while you write whatever comes to mind. Writing about stress related issues helps you jump over that bump in the road and moved on to something else.
5. Bedtime routine
it can be hard but try to go to bed at the same time each night. Start to relax, listen to music, drink tea, watch Netflix or read a book. Remember to turn down your brightness or turn on nighttime mode on all technology including your phone and laptop because if that bright light is still on it will tell your mind it is still daytime and keep you up and alert.
6. Counseling
remember you don’t need to “have an issue” to see a counselor, they are someone to talk to when you get stressed and give you tips. Sometimes it is easier to talk to an adult than to your friend about problems stressing you out, not only work but also relationships with others.
7. Time management
the biggest part of being stressed is the way you use your time, do not let assignments build up! Take your calendar and chunk up pieces of assignments that need to be done first or will take longer.
8. Break time
you cannot sit and stare at a screen for hours, you need to take breaks. Go take a drive or go to a coffee shop, on or off campus, or go to the beach, there are many little things you can do in or outside of your dorm room to take a break from your work.
9. Reach out
if you are very stressed a good idea is to call your parents or your friend(s) to just talk and say hi. Get your mind off of your work, even if the conversation is only a few minutes long. They will make you feel better and give you love and support to continue with the rest of the work you have.
10. Time yourself
give yourself a certain amount of time that you can take out of your day to complete an assignment, set a goal for yourself, a timeline is very helpful especially with multiple assignments and exams. After a certain amount of time in one subject switch to another so that your brain is not getting fried on only one topic.
11. Color/draw
it brings out the child in you! Coloring or drawing with quiet music in the background is very relaxing and adult coloring books are very popular right now. It is something fun to do and can get your mind off of anything as you concentrate on the drawing or what color you want to use where your brain will go into relaxation mode and it also brings out your creative side.
Hopefully these 11 ideas on reducing stress help you or remember when a friend comes to you stressed, the semester is flying by and it will be over before we know it so we should try to relax more, it healthier for you!
