Mid-semester is approaching, and you know what that means — midterms and mental breakdowns. Being a college student with what seems like zero free time, I tend to be stressed 24/7. This causes me to constantly be looking for ways to relieve my stress, and the things I have found over time are what keep me sane. Have no fear, fellow damsels in full stress, here are some things that may help.
1. Get an agenda/appointment book, and write down everything you have to do.
2. Cross things off when you’re done with them. It gives you an immediate sense of accomplishment and, with that, a little bit of encouragement to keep going so you can cross off more things.
3. Make your food for the first couple of days of the week on Sunday's and put them in individual Baggies and Tupperware. This way, for the first few days, you don’t have to stress about preparing your food or not having anything to eat because you didn’t have time to prepare it.
4. When doing your work, especially for long periods of time, get up and take a lap around whatever building you’re in. No, I don’t mean run. Just get up, get your legs moving and wake yourself up. Don’t think about any of your work until you get back from your little walk/break.
5. Always, and I mean always, have a little somewhat healthy snack that you love to have in times of stress. I usually make chocolate covered strawberries in bulk and just eat one or two to give myself a little reward for working my butt off at all times.
6. Get a good-smelling candle that makes you more than happy to be in your room.
7. Scream into a pillow.
8. Sing your lungs out to your song of choice in the car.
9. Take a long, hot shower. I don’t care if you think you don’t have time. Do it.
10. Also make time for the occasional power nap. Trust me, it helps even if it’s only for 10 minutes.
11. Keep a water bottle with you at all times; it will keep your body happy and will force you to take a bathroom break.
12. Cry it out whenever you need to. It’s a necessary evil. It’s a release and you can get right back on track once you’re all cried out.
13. Make an amazing playlist of your favorite upbeat songs for whenever you’re walking somewhere. Music really makes all the difference.
14. Go and do something at least once every weekend with a friend. You shouldn’t be cooped up all weekend long doing work. Go have some fun for a little bit, even if it means going to the grocery store.
15. Carry around a very soft and comfy blanket. It’s an extra level of comfort no human being could ever provide.
16. Breathe.
17. Clean. Whether it is your room or your entire house, it can help you clear your mind.
18. Have some alone time when you just kick back and do something you really enjoy doing on your own. I recommend Netflix. Mainly movies on Netflix so you don’t get sucked into a show and end up not doing the things you should be doing.
19. Do something little to pamper yourself. Pore strips, face mask, etc.
20. Read a magazine about something that interests you. Even if you just flip through the pages and look at the pictures.
21. Call a very close family member or friend and talk to them about anything and everything.
So in times of what seem like endless stress, try to find the little things that help you through it. Keep encouraging yourself in any way you can, treat yourself to the little things that make you happy and know that you can do whatever you put your mind to. It really makes a difference in the long run.
