There are always reasons for people to freak out and get stressed. College students are a prime example of a population that deals with stress on a day to day basis. What with projects and presentations due, housing and class registration, and of course loans, there’s a lot to be stressed about. Of course, this article isn’t just for college students, anybody can benefit from this article, as long as you are of age for some of the points.
Everybody has stress, it’s one of the things we have to deal with in life. I figured out ways to calm myself, take my mind off something for five minutes, an hour, or a few hours. No matter what it is, it can wait for a little bit while you “reboot” your system. Here are four ways I’ve learned to calm myself down and destress, that help to keep me focused, push through, and get things done.
1. Close My Eyes
As a college student, I’m looking at computer screens, books, and small font articles. After a while, it can wear my eyes out and make me tired. I’ve figured out that, instead of taking a break and looking at another screen like my phone, I set an alarm, and close my eyes. If I fall asleep, I fall asleep. That’s what the alarm is for. The true intent is to literally rest my eyes, and just give them a break from staring at word after word and page after page. It doesn’t even have to be long. It can be as short as 10 minutes, or as long as an hour. The important thing is that I rested my eyes, and I can focus much better since I gave them a break.
2. Breathe
I know it sounds pretty obvious. We need to breathe to stay alive, but breathing can also be relaxing. By taking a few seconds and taking some deep breaths, I focus on something other than work. By focusing on my breathing, I focus on myself and my well-being, which is just as important as the work itself. By focusing on myself, I figure out where I can do better on the project, where I can study harder, and where I can improve. Breathing is one of the simplest, but most important ways to calm yourself.
3. Go For A Walk
Walking has a lot of great benefits. It’s healthy, gets me moving, and gives me a chance to clear my head and gather my thoughts on whatever it may be that I’m working on. Going for a 30 minute walk gives me a chance to just take a break and stretch my legs. Sitting at a desk for hours on end can get really uncomfortable and make me fidgety. If I take a break and go for a walk, I don’t get uncomfortable, and I don’t get fidgety.
Another reason why I go for a walk when I need to relax is because it helps me gather my thoughts, and maybe even see something from a new point of view. Yes, walks are great for clearing your head, but they are also great for giving you a new perspective on a situation or project. Taking a walk can present new ideas, giving me a better way to work.
Walking also allows me to stretch and refresh my body so I can keep working on that 10 page paper I’ve been pushing off until the last minute. Stretching and letting my body move gives me more natural energy to work.
4. Spend An Hour With Friends
There have been so many times where I over worked myself on a project or studied for a test, and all I wanted to do was just hang out with some friends. Well, that’s not always a bad thing when you have a big test. For me, hanging out with friends and eating some food is one of the most refreshing things I can do for myself. When I see some familiar faces and talk about whatever is on topic, my head gets clear, and I think straighter. Plus, some of my friends are very smart people. Every once in a while, when I’m stuck on a project, my friends unknowingly give me a different perspective. Spend time with your friends. They have different experiences and views. When I talk to my friends, I get taken away from my work. My head gets clear, and some of my stress is relieved.
