Being a college student can be very overwhelming and stressful. Not only college students but anyone can be easily stressed out if they feel too overwhelmed. If you're like me and have anxiety, it can even be worse sometimes because even the tiniest thing can trigger anxiety and then lead to a panic attack which all ties into stress.
Here is a list of some of the things I have learned to help me cope with anxiety and stress when I feel overwhelmed. Hopefully, these coping skills can help you too!
1. Deep breath
First take a deep breath in and then take a deep breath out and repeat. Controlling your breathing is one of the first things you should always try to do if you're feeling stressed. It can help slow down your heart rate because when you get worked up, your heart rate tends to speed up. Breathe in for approximately seven seconds and release that breath for seven seconds and repeat till you feel a little more relaxed.
2. Listening to music
To get away from the noise all around you, go find a quite room or put some headphones on and turn on some music you like. Just recently, I actually started listening to meditation and calming music compared to more popular music, such as country, pop, rap, or rock. It's definitely more peaceful and when there's no lyrics, it starts to take your brain into even more of a calming state.
3. Light up some candles
Some scents can calm people. The scent you choose all depends on your liking. I personally like cupcake or sugar cookie candles. I don't know what about them make me feel so at piece, but when I feel worked up and overwhelmed I always light one of my candles. Or if I'm at school, since no candles are allowed I usually spray my coconut scent perfume around my room.
4. Color
Colors can really bring out different emotions. For example red usually makes you feel angry, or blue can make you feel calm. I have coloring books and I'm not afraid to share that. They're a great stress relief and they can be so mindless because you just color in the picture. And the colors you choose are said to represent colors you either are feeling or you want to feel.
5. Exercise
Take a walk, go for a run, go to the gym. Working out can be such a great stress relief and can make you feel better at the end. Mentally, psychically, and confidence wise, exercise can help better all three of these aspects. Go take out your anger in a good work out.
6. Take a nap
Some people look at taking a ton of naps as being a sign of depression. That doesn't have to be necessarily true, sometimes a nice little power nap is just the thing to help relax. A nice recharge from a nap can help you feel good and refocus your attitude towards the rest of the day.
These are just some coping skills that I personally do and they help me, so hopefully they can help you too!
