We’ve all been there: whether you’re in college or high school, there are going to be times when you want to pull out your hair and scream. Things can be going perfectly well and you come across a sudden assignment (or probably two), or you break a vase all over your floor. Two-year-old life suddenly makes so much more sense in these moments because all you feel like doing is crying your problems out or rolling on the ground.
Now, I implore you to possibly consider these as alternatives to the fit we all want to have sometimes.
Take a breather
Some people think that staring at an assignment or being persistent will help some of the frustration fade. But once a certain point passes, there is nothing more you can do without taking a break. So next time, maybe try staring out of your window for a minute at a time. Look at the trees, and count your breaths. It is proven to be calming and can help lower heart rate. Drinking water can help during this time to keep you hydrated and if you imagine the water washing over you, I’ve found that it’s extremely helpful.
Listen to some music
This can be helpful for some people and even more stressful for others, but if it works for you, try tuning out and turning on a Pandora radio. Instrumentals improve focus and don’t have you trying to pay attention to lyrics; it’s great for writing papers or trying to relieve a stress-headache.
Play some games
If your priorities can wait for perhaps an hour or two, it might be worth it to have some fun that involves thinking to keep your brain on track. Freerice is a useful site that has quizzes you while donating rice to the World Food Programme for families in need. If helping others is an incentive, it’s a great idea to play these sorts of games when you’re stressed. Another game lets you create your own galaxy on your laptop screen, and it can be extremely anxiety-relieving, even for only a few minutes.
Lay on your back
Most people find that laying still helps instill calm (along with heavy breathing) so I propose that if you’re feeling stressed, you lay a blanket on a solid ground and lay down on it. Let your spine relax into the floor and breathe in and out, while staring at the blank ceiling. Clear your mind, and the breathing technique can work wonders while also relaxing a tense spine from hunching over a computer all day.
Remember that your stress is temporary
The specific trigger for your stress can be anything from an exam or a driving test or your CEO checking up on you. Family stress at home can be the worst, but it is important to remember there are 24 hours in a day, and your exam will eventually pass. It’s okay to be stressed, but try thinking of the other end of the tunnel when it seems like there’s no end in sight.
These are some methods that I’ve found helpful towards relieving stress, because I’ve needed it quite a lot myself. If any of the methods don’t work for you, try finding a quiet place that allows you to think, even if it’s just your closet in your bedroom, because feeling trapped in a stressful place often makes it worse. Know that you have options besides your stressful situation, and try to have fun!
