So, spring break just ended. I know, that seems super early, but that's the way they do things here, I guess. My spring break wasn't the most relaxing one I've ever had - I ended up doing a LOT of traveling - but it was still pretty damn good. I miss it already.
Because school coming back means my stress levels just shot up like.....50%. The thing that's terrible about break is that it's just long enough for you to get acclimated to...you know, a relatively stress-free environment, but not long enough for you to maintain that lack of stress. So like, just as you get used to it....it's over.
The problem is, though, is that that's super super unhealthy. Seriously. And so I figured I'd do you guys (and myself!) a favor, and list a couple of things I like to do/watch/listen to etc. to help me de-stress.
1. Nap...or at least, lay there.
This might sound a little childish, but naps are that WORK, okay? Sometimes you need to force yourself to a) stop and breathe for a second, and b) relax your body. And sleep is a great way to accomplish that! Of course, if you're like me and (usually, although finals weeks is a different story) can't fall asleep at the drop of a hat, I still suggest just....laying in bed for like a good 15 minutes. Just give yourself that time to exhale. It's important.
2. Do something...anything....else.
It's easy to let school work/life stress/whatever consume you to the point that that's literally all you think about. But that's terrible for you in the long run, and all it does it make things harder. So I suggest just..dropping things for a minute. Nothing too crazy, just take five minutes to go and do something else that has literally nothing to do with your current task. Go talk to somebody real quick. Read something funny. Set a timer for 10 mins and do something that you really like in that time span. Procrastinate! Whatever floats your boat (within the time limit, of course).
3. Do something nice for yourself.
A lot of times when you're working really hard or focused on something, other stuff tends to get put to the side. A good way to snap out of this is to pick something (anything!) you want to do for yourself, and then do it. Slap a face mask on before you go to bed. Clean your room; light some candles for some atmosphere. Wash your hair. Cook yourself something nice. Treat yourself the way you would if you had a lot of extra free time to treat yourself - because it's what you should be doing anyway.
4. Listen to something different.
As much as I talk about music, this was pretty much an inevitable conclusion. But seriously, it works - a lot of time, we tend to listen to music according to the mood we're already in. But there's nothing wrong with tailoring what you're listening to something that suits the mood you'd like to be in - so switch from something frantic to something chill, or from something for studying to something energetic and loud. Do you, cause you know what you like.
5. Make things manageable.
Sometimes, we just can't do it all. And that's fine! Human beings have a limited capacity for you know....doing stuff. But we also tend to overload ourselves constantly. So for my last recommendation, I suggest that anyone who's highly stressed (me included!) sit down and look at exactly what they're doing and why. Is it useful? Is it mandatory? Can you take a break/pause/drop etc? Is it a 10, or is it really a 2.5 level situation that you've wildly overinflated? Ask yourself those kinds of questions. You might be surprised by your answers.
Anyway, that's it! Go forth. Be successful.... but reasonably so.
