If you're reading this article, I'm assuming that you also have an intimate relationship with my close friend, stress. As an incoming college student, I am almost constantly in a state of being stressed out or anxious about something. In fact, "stress" might as well be my middle name; my friends buy me stress relief scented candles for my birthdays and everything. Unfortunately, I do not have the magic words to make your stress go away. However, I have come up with some tips on how to manage it healthily.
1. Relaxation.
My go-to escape from stress is a nice candle-lit bubble bath. Get your favorite scented candles, bath bombs, you name it and soak your worries away. Listening to calming music might assist in soothing your nerves and relaxing your body as well. If the whole "sitting in your own filth" thing isn't for you, then maybe try something more along the lines of yoga or meditation. Which ever method suits you the best, it's imperative that you give your mind and body a break every now and then in order to ensure that you do not get sick from over-working yourself.
2. Exercise and eat healthy.
Mental and physical health come hand in hand, meaning that you cannot have one without the other. In order to have a healthy mind, you must fuel your body with the nutrients and vitamins it needs in order to function at your full potential. Along with eating right, it is crucial to make a generous effort to partake in some type of physical activity each and every day. Now, I'm not sitting here telling you to go out and run two miles - but even a walk, or just the decision to take the stairs instead of an elevator can go a long way.
3. Make "you" time.
In order to live a healthy lifestyle, it is essential to set aside time for your hobbies and interests. "You" time varies for each individual; however, there is a commonality in that we as humans all have things that we love to do. If you like reading, set aside 30 minutes a night to read a good book before bed. If you like art, make time to draw or paint in between the hustle and bustle of your day. Simply taking time to do things that you love can get your mind off of whatever is causing you stress, and make it easier to complete tasks after the fact.
4. Time management.
Time management is the key to a successful, stress-free life. Something as simple as getting a planner or calendar to organize upcoming events can put your mind at ease by knowing what you have to do, and when you have to do it. If you plan things in advance, you most likely won't get caught up in the stress of trying to get things done at the last minute. Managing your time can also help in making sure that you get enough sleep at night so that you wake up energized and ready for the day.
5. Keep a positive attitude.
As cliche as this may sound, just simply changing your outlook on life can significantly mitigate your level of stress. More commonly than not, we tend to overthink situations which can result in expecting the worst of the worst at all times. Some people don't realize that just having a positive outlook on life can reduce stress significantly. If you are constantly preparing your mind for the worst, then you aren't leaving enough time to enjoy the little things in life. It's time to start looking at the glass half full, not half empty, people.
Take a breather, get some fresh air, read a book, buy a planner and think happy thoughts!
