So syllabus week is over and all of a sudden you're drowning in school work. Three quizzes, a research paper, and 37 sections of chemistry homework to complete--when did that happen?! The best part is, you get to repeat the whole process again next week. Can't wait. The problem is, if you don't take a minute to relax and clear your mind, the stress of all the work will catch up to you. You'll feel like you can barely keep your head above water; that is, if you don't already feel that way. Below are a few ways you can decompress from the whirlwind of a week you just had, better preparing yourself for a semester of success.
1. Make your bed.
It takes one minute, if that. Just pull your covers up, arrange your pillows nicely, and your room automatically looks 10 times tidier. There is nothing worse than coming back from a long day of classes to a messy room. By preemptively neatening up your space, you can come back from class and lounge without worrying about having to clean anything up.
2. "Parks and Rec"
If you haven't already binge-watched this show, get on Netflix and start! Watching reruns is one of my favorite things to do when I just want to forget about a stressful day. The show's humor is so spot-on that by the end I'm crying with laughter and just feeling happy all around.
3. Go to the gym.
I know, I know. But spending just a half hour on the bike or running laps on the track with headphones in really does relieve all the pent-up stress from a day of classes. Also, a lot of college campus gyms offer group fitness classes, like Zumba or yoga. Attending these classes are so much fun that it doesn't even feel like exercise. Plus, exercise gives you natural endorphins, which make you happy!
4. Keep your desk organized.
A messy desk increases my stress level tenfold. Plus, organizing a small area of your room, like your desk, is a great way to unwind. It's mindless and easy, and by the end you have a nice, tidy space ready for use!
5. Watch trash T.V.
Personally, my friends and I love watching "The Bachelor." It's so awful. Olivia needs to go home. The show takes pretty much zero effort to watch, unlike other shows that require at least an ounce of thought. Kicking back, eating chocolate, and screaming at the T.V. is the perfect way to decompress after a loaded day.
6. Call your mom.
Or whoever it is that'll listen to your whining, and then offer up words of wisdom. Sometimes, you just need to complain about that snooze-fest of a lecture, or the ungodly amount of homework you were assigned this week. It's OK, my friend, get it all out.
7. Wear fuzzy socks.
There's something about the simple act of wearing fuzzy socks and other comfy clothes that makes me feel way more relaxed, and motivated to start my schoolwork.
8. Watch makeup tutorials or cooking videos.
Even if you're not interested in either of those things, no one can argue that those videos are super satisfying to watch. By the end you'll feel relaxed, and maybe even inspired to create something of your own.
9. Coloring.
Grab some colored pencils, print off a few coloring pages from the internet, and you're good to go. I love sitting quietly on my bed, coloring some Disney princesses, and listening to music. Ahhh, perfect.
10. Browse Reddit.
Or Pinterest, Tumblr, etc. Lounging in your room, letting your mind wander is one of the simplest ways to unwind.
11. Go to bed early.
The weekend rolls around and the urge to stay up late partying or watching Netflix is strong. But if you go to bed early, at least for one of the nights over the weekend, you'll be able to wake up earlier, and have a productive day to catch up on homework.
12. Hang string lights in your room.
The atmosphere of our rooms affects our stress-level more than we think. String lights and other cute decorations are visually appealing, which helps us have a better state of mind.
13. Put your headphones in while walking to class.
Listening to your favorite playlist on your walks to and from class put you in a much better mindset. Whether it's motivating pump-up jams, therapeutic T-Swift, or soothing Ed Sheeran, the important thing is that your mind has a break from thinking about all that homework.
14. Put Spotify on shuffle and sit around chatting with friends.
And don't talk about school.
Obviously not all of these tips will work for everyone, but if you're like me, and have had one hell of week beginning this semester, I hope you'll be able to find some inspiration from this list. I know when you're assigned massive amounts of work it's tempting to just plow through it without break, but that's a recipe for a meltdown. Instead, conquer your work a little at a time, all the while focusing on staying stress-free.
