We've all been there: after a busy, stressful week all we want to do is either lay on the floor and cry or uncontrollably laugh about how your life is a huge mess (or both). Believe it or not, those are not the healthiest ways to take care of your mental health. Here are some tips on how to stay sane in the busy world of college.
1. Get a plant.
Plants have been proven to lower your blood sugar, increase attentiveness, lower anxiety and improve your overall well-being.
2. Put your phone down.
Cell phones not only change the way we socialize, but also the way we think. Sometimes, good old face-to-face is the best option. Get out and enjoy the world without being hidden behind a screen the whole time.
3. Hang out with a friend.
Sometimes the best medicine a person can get is laughter. Grab a friend, and go get a cup of coffee. Share laughs, share drinks and share memories.
4. Paint a canvas.
Painting can be very stress relieving. Different shades of blue have been found to have the most calming effects on humans. You don't have to be a Van Gogh to enjoy painting.
5. Take a walk.
One of the best things about UNCW is that we are five minutes away from the beach. Take advantage of it and go walk along the shore of some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast.
6. Drink a cup of hot tea.
A nice cup of hot tea can be very relaxing after a long day. Don't be afraid to sample different types of tea until you find the right kind.
7. Find a puppy and hug it.
If you already have a dog, great: go snuggle with it. If not, go find a friend with a dog or volunteer at a local shelter. Bottom of the line, find a dog and get to snuggling.
8. Bake some cookies.
Stress baking is real, y'all. Depending on how skilled you are, you can make them homemade or from store bought cookie dough. Another upside to this method is that you get to eat the cookies afterwards.
9. Learn a new skill.
This skill can be as involved as cooking to playing a new instrument. Learning a new skill focuses all of your attention on one thing opposed to everything that is going wrong in your life.
10. Watch your favorite show on Netflix.
Netflix is one of the most essential resources as a college student. Find a show you love, and watch it.
11. Have a dance party.
Sometimes the best option is just to dance it out.
