College, in itself, is stressful. But wait, there's more. On top of having class after class after class, a plethora of homework, tests out your ass, and worrying if any of it is going to measure up so you can keep your scholarship to even go to this school so when you graduate you can get married, have a job, have kids and still be drowned in an ocean of stress, you have a million other responsibilities as well. If your parents don't pay your entire way during school (you should thank your lucky stars if they do, btw. Don't be ungrateful), then you have to find a way to make money to pay for books, dorm/apartment things, hygienic needs, food, and the changing of seasonal clothes (if you are lucky enough to have any money left over). Not to mention: bills, bills, bills. After you tack on these little fun experiences, college goes from kinda stressful to really stressful in basically 0.2. Here are five easy ways I have found to just take a step back and de-stress from your situations:
1. Eno in the park
Find a couple of trees, string up that hammock, and nap like you don't have piles and piles of debt waiting for you when you finish. Even if you don't have a hammock, just take a blanket and lay out. The fresh air will do you some good too. There is just something about sunshine that makes all your problems seem so small. A healthy dose of nature is wonderful therapy.
2. Take a drive
I know, I know. Wasting gas is so not helping your stress level about money, but hear me out. Sometimes, it is as simple as just driving around the block, blaring your favorite song. See, in your car you have complete solidarity. You can cry, scream, and act completely like a maniac without anyone judging you. It is a super simple, helpful way to just get your frustrations out. Take a deep breath and sing your heart out to your favorite tunes. It works wonders.
3. Grab a Redbox or watch some Netflix
If you pop in a movie, suddenly your problems are miles away and you are too busy focusing on if the girl will dump the guy for being a lying, cheating scumbag or if the murderer will get away, or if the kid will really die from that car wreck. If you can just sit back, relax, and watch a movie for an hour or two, that's an hour or two that your problems won't eat you alive.
4. Read a book
Same rules basically apply from the movie for a book, but even better. You fully immerse yourself into the lives of the people you are reading about, so much so that time and most importantly your problems, will slip away from you. This is personally one of my favorites.
*Side note: Combine this with enoing in the park, and you will be super golden.
And finally.....
5. Read your bible
Yes, this is a book, no it isn't the same. God loves you even in your darkest of moments, and he will be there for you no matter what you are going through. This is not me saying that your problems will be automatically fixed because that isn't how God works. All you need to know is, relying on God to help you through your situations can really give you an other-worldly kind of peace. It isn't a magical fix, but it will make the weight more bearable.
Nothing on this list will completely eradicate your problems, but they will help you take a step back and put everything into perspective. It is nice to have a break from your stressors, even if it is only temporary.
*Feel free to do anything that makes your de-stress, these are merely suggestions.
