It seems like syllabus week was just yesterday, yet somehow midterms are right around the corner. If you’re like the typical college student, your stress level is probably through the roof right now as you scramble to catch up on everything you need to know for your exams. As a psychology major, I enjoy studying stress and its effects on people as well as some remedies to calm it down. Here are eight research-proven ways to reduce your stress level so you can study efficiently and make it through to spring break:
1. Get some exercise.
For many busy college students, when the semester picks up exercise is the first thing to go. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of exercise on relieving stress as well as positive correlations between exercise and grades. Even if it’s just a half hour walk around campus, getting a little sweaty will calm you down and re-energize you.
2. Hang out with a friend.
Spending an hour of quality time with a good friend will do wonders for your stress level. Social interaction is one of the most important factors in determining well-being, and it’s the perfect way to take a study break. To make it even more effective, don’t talk about your classes or anything school-related.
3. Have a good laugh.
Studies have shown that laughter releases endorphins that make you feel better. Whether that means watching YouTube videos or hanging out with a goofy friend, a little bit of laughter can cheer up your gloomy days and make you feel better.
4. Find a healthy, enjoyable outlet and go do it.
There’s more to life than school or work, and having other outlets can greatly reduce the stress. Note that alcohol and binge-watching Netflix aren’t the healthiest outlets. Try to find something that is good for your body and mind, like taking a bike ride, creating artwork, writing, or playing with your pet.
5. Get an appropriate amount of sleep.
It seems counter-intuitive when you’re already pressed for time to spend eight precious hours sleeping, but your body needs that sleep to make your waking hours productive and efficient. If you’ve been skimping on sleep, one good night might make a world of difference in how you feel the next morning. You can’t run on caffeine forever.
6. Listen to music.
Whether it’s something calm and soothing or an upbeat pop song, find exactly what you need in the moment and turn up your headphones. Music has been shown to have numerous cognitive benefits, including turning on the brain’s relaxation response to make you feel less stressed.
7. Stay positive.
It may feel like your entire life hinges on one big exam, but it doesn’t. Even if you fail an entire class, you can still excel in college, graduate, and be successful. When you have a positive mindset, you can create good experiences out of not-so-good situations.
8. Seek help if you need it.
Stress may be common on a college campus, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with. University counselors are happy to talk to students about the stress in their lives; sometimes just talking about it makes a big difference. At the University of Illinois, the Counseling Center and McKinley Health Center offer free counseling services for students.
The stress of the college life is temporary, and there is a light at the end of every tunnel. Now take a deep breath and go rock those midterms!
