Another semester just started, but you might already feel stressed. Before your life goes completely out of control bring these five changes into your lifestyle.
1. Build stronger relationship with your parents.
Don’t call your mom because you spent all your money and have been eating ramen noodles for the past five days. Don’t call your dad because you got bored on campus and want him to drive you home for the weekend. Your parents should not solve your problems. Instead call them to share your experiences. Tell your mom about your favorite professor or about your new favorite drink from Starbucks. Things that make you happy mean a lot to your parents and sharing them will help you feel close to them in spite of distance.
2. Do yoga once a day.
Yes, I didn’t tell you to work out or even go to the gym. Too often we start working out because we want to “fix” ourselves. But you should know — you are not broken. Do yoga not because you want to lose weight or look like a Victoria’s Secret model. Do it because yoga trains both your body and mind. Do it because you deserve to spend those 30 minutes of your life entirely on yourself. Don’t compete with others, just enjoy.
3. Go back to your childhood interests.
Remember the time when you were a kid? You had hobbies and interests that were not dictated by teachers and college applications. Think of something you were genuinely curious about when you were nine years old. Dinosaurs, soccer, rocks. Look into it again. Feel a wave of nostalgia coming at you and find out if you are still interested in the topic. If you feel like you are losing yourself, coming back to the hobbies you forgot about might be the key.
4. Watch a foreign TV show
If you are going to spend your time watching Youtube and Netflix, you might as well get something useful out of it. Watch a program or TV series made in a different country (preferably a country you are not familiar with). You can pick a genre you enjoy and also learn a lot about place you have never been to. Humor, fashion and life style will be different and refreshing. The process may also inspire you to go abroad or find exotic places in your own town.
5. Read a book
I know, semester started and you already have a dozen of books to read. Still, forget about your boring textbooks for a minute. Pick a book that has been on your reading list for awhile. It doesn’t matter if it’s a comic book, a biography of your favorite celebrity or new Harry Potter book. Dedicate ten minutes of your day to the book you actually want to read. It will be rewarding to cross it off your list by the end of the semester.
