It is always this point in the semester when things start to get a little hectic. Spring break is over, projects are building up, sorority formal is weeks away. There is so much to do and so little time! Sometimes it can feel like between school, clubs, and work there is no time to breathe! All of the sudden it's April and you realize that your last semester of college is almost finished. I hope I am not the only one who feels the mid-semester drag of stress, stress, stress! Everyone tells you enjoy these four years they are the best ones of your life. While, I think this is an exaggeration there is something to be said about the joy and freedom we experience in college. Yet, with all this stress how can there be any enjoyment to it? I’ve come up with a few things I do throughout the busy weeks of college life to keep myself grounded and beat the mid-semester stress!
1. Journal
Journaling can be a great way to de-stress. Buy yourself a cute notebook and allow yourself a time every day to write in it. Try making a list of things you're grateful for, positive experiences, or affirmations. I personally keep a prayer journal so I can remind myself of God’s promises as well as reminding myself to be grateful for what I have. Keeping a prayer journal has seriously helped me let go of the things I can’t change and refocus on the positive!
2. Make Time
Chances are if you are busy you have a planner. It is easy for us to schedule time for work, appointments, and meetings but have we ever scheduled time for NOTHING? When you are making your schedule for the week be sure to block out a few hours that are scheduled for nothing. I do it strategically so that I can actually accomplish something I enjoy doing without being rushed in another activity. You can use this time to relax,
3. Exercise
This is usually the first thing I take off my list of things to do and it really shouldn’t be! Exercising keeps your body healthy and strong to fight off illness and fatigue. Forgetting to do this important activity can seriously slow you down and actually add more stress to your life! Exercising actually releases chemicals in your brain to make you happier and more positive.
4. Eat Right and Stay Hydrated
This goes along with the previous point. If you are not taking care of your body it is likely that you are going to pay for it later. Be sure to eat healthy meals—no chicken nuggets from McDonalds are not a healthy source of protein—and drink enough water. You will feel more refreshed and energized to get things done!
5.Meditate
This might sound a little trippy dippy but it is seriously a really important thing to do. Sometimes I like to sit and think about things that are larger than the everyday mundane. It helps me to stay grounded in the fact that there is more than just college. Find Truth and meditate on it.
6.Get Outside
Now that the weather is getting nicer we should take the opportunity to enjoy it! Whether it’s a hike or just a walk around campus, get outside and get fresh air. Being in the sun will replenish you of Vitamin D and leave you feeling happier. That means stop driving to class and taking up parking spots—walk and enjoy the sunshine!
7. Get a Hobby
Chances are you already know what you like to do—and no napping is not a hobby. It can be reading, hiking, painting, drawing, coloring in those adult coloring books. Find what you like to do and schedule once a week to do it! Life is short after all, you might as well enjoy it.
8. Sleep
You might think that staying up later will help you get more things done but chances are you will just be more tired during the day. It is more important to get the necessary amount of sleep than to stay up until 3 AM. Hey if you get the right amount of sleep you probably won’t need to take so many naps during the day.
9. Let it Go
As much as I love Frozen I am not referring to Elsa’s popular song. I don’t care if you are worrying about friend drama, boyfriend issues, or a grade on a paper. It’s not worth it! Whatever you are worrying about, let it go! Spending endless hours thinking about every possible outcome or worrying over every little detail will NOT change the outcome. What is going to happen is going to happen so enjoy where you are in the moment. Unplug—I seriously think part of all our stress comes from being plugged in 24 hours a day seven hours a week. With smartphones it is impossible to get away from stress and obligations. Leave your phone in your room when you're in class or turn it off when you are in your room. Take some time in your day to put down the phone and not worry about the emails, texts, and social media updates.
10. Put Yourself Together
11. Stop Comparing
I can't think of anything that wastes more time and energy than comparing yourself to others. It might seem like it does not impact your day but it seriously does! The more time you spend thinking about how inadequate you are the less time you have to actually accomplish things. Realize that you are who you are and love it you’ll make more brain space and have more energy to do things that matter!
