It's that time in the semester when everything seems to pile up. There are papers, exams, group projects, and more all within a few days. Reading always takes a spot behind your other assignments, but now, you're a week and a half behind on that too. We've all been there. Stress has a funny way of ruining your college experience. It causes sickness, sleep deprivation, weight loss or weight gain, and many other health issues. That being said, what can we possibly do to relieve our stress?
1. Go for a run
Sorry, I don't like to hear the word "exercise" either, but it's proven to yield a multitude of benefits. One of the most important of those benefits is stress relief. Exercise pumps up your endorphins, the neurotransmitters that make you feel good. The more endorphins flowing through your body, the better you feel. Of course, if you're like me, exercise is one of your least favorite things to do, next to homework and cleaning the bathroom. However, it's scientifically proven to benefit you, so why not make it fun? If you go for a run, choose an outdoor environment to people-watch or just to enjoy nature. If it's too cold or rainy, make a playlist of your absolute favorite upbeat songs to make the treadmill fun. Grab a friend and head to an aerobics or yoga class. The possibilities are endless.
2. Drink tea
The immediate reaction most people have when they're bogged down with homework is to grab a coffee. However, that much caffeine hypes you up and can make you jittery. Tea, on the other hand, is a wonderful alternative to stress reduction. Tea is calming and warm which immediately makes your body relax. There is truly nothing better than curling up with a hot cup of tea in bed.
3. Sleep
When I'm stressed, my go-to reaction is to go to bed. Sleep holds many benefits for an individual, stress relief being one of the major ones. There is just something so calming about shutting down your brain for awhile just to recuperate. You'll wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle your next project. If it seems as if you have endless assignments and no time to do them, make sure to plan time in your schedule for just a quick nap if you don't have time to sleep for the necessary 7-9 hours later on in the night.
4. Watch Netflix
If you're truly pushing it for time, Netflix might be hard to squeeze into your schedule, but one episode can't hurt, right? If you've been working on homework for hours, you and your mind need a break. There is no better way to unwind then to just turn on your favorite show. After all, an episode will only take 45 minutes out of your day.
5. Make a schedule
If time is your biggest enemy, making a schedule is beyond helpful. It will only take 5 minutes out of your day, but it will give you something to work towards all day long. My favorite part of making a schedule is the reward I give myself if I'm ahead. Treat yourself to five minutes of Facebook surfing or one Youtube video if you happen to be ahead of schedule.
