1. SLEEP: It's so easy to put sleep on the backburner when some many other priorities are in play; however, sleep needs to be at the top of your priorities. Lack of sleep causes more stress, effects the way you think, and puts you at risk to make easy mistakes. Sleep deprivation also causes procrastination and that is the last thing you need to do when you have assignments due. Don't try to compensate your lack of sleep with energy supplements or drinks- it'll confuse your body and completely throws off your system. Not to mention hoe badly your body will crash when the caffeine no longer works.
2. Eat well: Poor health habit will decrease your energy level and cause you to be less productive. Understanding that college students generally have no money, I've found that most places sell foods like apples or a banana for less than a candy bar or a bag of chips- you just need to look in the right places. Prep meals!!! It takes away so much stress and time trying to make food when you're already late to your 12:30 class. One night a week, prep all of your meals ahead of time. Be ready for the bliss of having this out of the way and the extra time you have to study.
3. Exercise: 20 minutes of physical activity can reduce stress levels incredibly. It can be anything, but be sure it's something you like so exercise will become a rewarding break during study times. Need ideas? Yoga is a great and popular choice among college students. It is a practice that gives you lesson that you can bring into daily life. Adopting the lifestyle will give you more mindfulness when it comes to breathing and relaxing in stressful situations. A person of any fitness level can participate because the practice is based on the individual. You can make a pose more difficult or easier based on your skill set. Other fun ideas can include; running, swimming, biking, using an elliptical or kickboxing!
4. Don't forget the things you love: participating in an activity you enjoy will give yourself a time to look forward to and time to relieve some stress just by enjoying yourself. If you don't have any hobbies in mind, find a club at school that has a low time commitment and can give you time to have activity outside the classroom.
5. Take a step back: When life seems to be taking over and there are more items on your "to do" list than there are on your "completed" list, take a step back and breathe. Worrying about what you have yet to finish won't have it completed any faster. Overstressing can actually delay your progress because you are not fully focusing on the tasks at hand. so, next time your mind is on stress overload, take step back, go for a walk, listen to some music, re-organize yourself and come back to your work with a clearer mind.
