This time in the semester is, in my opinion, more stressful than any other. In one week, I find myself having three exams, a quiz, and two papers due. When balancing my work schedule, my studies, and my personal interest, I often try to find ways to improve my day in simple ways.
1. Take a walk- Exercise can be great for blood sugar balance, levels of "feel good" neurotransmitters like serotonin, and can make you feel more energized during a busy day. I often pack my sneakers in my backpack so that I can work out during a break in my day, even if it is just a walk around our campus gardens. Clearing your mind by spending time in nature or at the gym can be a great stress reliever, and leave you with a new perspective on any problems you may be working through.
2. Phone a friend- When I am feeling down, nothing feels better than calling my best pal, my sisters, or my parents to ask for advice, or even just to talk about their day. When there are a million things going on at once, it's nice to hear from someone who knows you better than anyone else.
3. Practice self-care- Instead of grabbing the easiest/fastest comfort food, cook something with fresh ingredients that your body will love you for. Make sure that you are hydrated and are getting all of your vitamins so that you can stay healthy; few things are worse than being sick during the busiest times in your week. I always try to practice at least one self-care behavior each afternoon before work, so that I feel energized for my time in the pool teaching swim lessons, and less tired when I get home.
4. Write it down- Journaling is a great practice for many reasons, but it can help with stress reduction because it encourages metacognition ("thinking about thinking"), emotional and creative expression, and feeling a sense of the present. Keeping a journal has also helped me to look back on times when I wish that I would have done or said something differently, and understand how I could better handle those situations in the future.
5. Use an agenda- With two jobs and a 19-hour course load, I must keep a detailed daily planner so that I know when, where, and what I need to do. I keep a written planner for tracking course progress and due dates, and most of my other scheduling is done with google calendar through my university. I subscribe to a scheduling service that allows me to send a link to other people in which they can choose a time to meet with me. This takes the back-and-forth of "what times might work for you?" out of setting up meeting times, and the scheduling service does all of the legwork for creating events in google calendar and notifications of meeting attendees. Having a plan that I can view at the start of each week/day can significantly relieve stress and worry, and can make catching conflicts and mistakes easier.
