With the end of the school year and finals fast approaching, it is harder to find time to relax and take a step back from the growing mountain of work left to finish. While ending the semester with strong grades is a high priority, remaining mentally healthy is just as important. Taking finals will be much harder if there are too many reasons in your mind that cause you to worry. Luckily, there are simple and fast remedies for those moments when you feel like school is becoming impossible.
1. Write
While this may not be for everyone, writing can be a simple way of just letting out any thoughts that are blocking you from getting your studying done. Take out a pen and paper and just write down what you are feeling. For those who like to express creativity: write down some exciting ideas for a new fiction story. This can temporarily distract your mind from anything that is bothering you.
2. Stretch
Anyone who loves yoga will be able to tell you how relaxing stretching can be. It can clear your mind and allow you to live in the moment. Take a few minutes to focus on breathing and just let all your other thoughts drift away. Stretching helps you relax all muscles in your body, and you will feel a bit more energized and focused in order to complete any work that needs to get done.
3. Drink a hot beverage
Sit down at a table with a steaming hot cup of coffee, tea, etc. It takes longer for you to finish a hot beverage than a cold one, so sit and relax until you’ve finished your drink. This allows you to collect your thoughts and just relax your mind, even if it is only for a few minutes. This is also a perfect way to start your day. Rushing in the morning can cause you unnecessary stress that will impact your mood for the rest of the day. Taking a moment to relax in the morning before going to class or work allows you to be more alert and ready for whatever happens that day.
4. Call a friend or family member
Reconnect with someone important in your life. It does not even have to be a long phone call, but hearing the voice of someone you care about can be much better than texting them or not talking to them at all. Talking to someone who matters the most to you can be the best distraction in the world from anything that could possibly be stressing you out or bothering you.
5. Take a walk or hike
Even if this walk is just around campus, walking is an easy way of calming down after any upset mood or stress that is threatening to ruin your day. It can also be a perfect exercise to make your body feel better!
6. Drive
Driving can be another good way of clearing your thoughts. If there is a problem in your life that needs solving, keep in mind that many people claim to also get some of their best ideas while driving. However, if you are too emotional to drive, please refrain from getting behind the wheel. Walking can be just as good for collecting your thoughts.
7. Keep a picture with you of something you care about.
In the Digital Age, it is safe to assume that most people have some sort of cell phone or other device with them that has a photo library. The picture can be anything such as your dog, you and your friends, your favorite food, etc. If it is something you strongly care about, that picture will most likely make you feel even the slightest bit happier.
8. Blast your favorite song.
Take a step back from your pile of work, and turn on a song that never fails to get you extremely excited. We all have that one song that we know all the words to and are prepared to belt them out the second it begins to play. Find that song, and just let go of any other thoughts for those few minutes.
