It’s finals week, and some of you may be experiencing high levels of something I live with every day: anxiety. Most people don’t realize I have anxiety, which has a good deal to do with managing it through my own actions.
Here are some pages from my personal “Anxiety Handbook,” if you will, to help you in your own times of need.
Buy yourself a small plant.
It helps to nurture a small plant friend and know that you’re taking good care of at least one thing. It may seem silly, but it’s nice to name, water, and perhaps even attach googly eyes to a potted plant. Here, meet Sappho the succulent:
Take up a new hobby.
I’ve been knitting for a while, but recently I’ve begun to get into embroidery and other forms of needlework. (Claims from the peanut gallery that I am a nineteen year old grandmother intensify.) You too can take up something small and pleasing that occupies your hands and mind — whether it’s needlework or something less old-fashioned, like writing or running.
Keep a small notebook for anxious or intrusive thoughts.
This tip from the Learning Assistance Center is actually surprisingly helpful. When I’m studying, I can get overwhelmed with anxiety about things like what my grade will be or whether I’m going to finish the project. When I have thoughts like these, I can “shelve” them by jotting them down in a small notebook I keep with me when studying. This helps me re-center my mind from amorphous, insistent concerns to, say, my linguistics homework.
Coloring isn’t just for little kids!
Adult coloring has become quite popular, and with good reason. Bringing out the coloring book and the crayons or colored pencils honestly helps calm the anxious mind a lot, since it’s repetitive and calls back to bright childhood memories. I have an ocean coloring book, which is even better, since cool colors like blue and green are the most calming.
Get out.
To busy, sedentary college students, this can seem like annoying advice — and heaven knows I don’t do this as much as I should — but a small walk or run can genuinely clear the head, especially as the weather continues to get nicer.
Break down overwhelming workloads.
I know that sitting down and looking at two essays to write, three final exams to study for, and a video project to film, can be daunting. It can also be extremely tempting to just do everything straight through, but do not do it. Instead, break things down down into manageable 20- or 30- minute intervals of work with five minute breaks that take your mind off of your work.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Yes, there is a meme about this, but seriously…drink more water! Water helps your brain function better, staves off headaches, and a cold bottle of water can be refreshing after hours of staring at a computer screen.
Have an “accountability buddy.”
This is the person that knows what you’re supposed to be doing and when it’s due. Have them check in every now and then to make sure that you haven’t been crushed by an avalanche of books in the stacks and that you’re still (mostly) handling things with minimal primal screaming. They can keep you from wandering into the wilds of the internet instead of the wilds of your textbook.
There is magic in good music.
Have a couple of study playlists — one action-packed instrumental music, and one the happiest, poppiest tunes you can muster. The first playlist is best when you just have to crank things out or when it’s late at night. Songs with lyrics are proven to distract the brain, but the kind of music the Rohirrim ride out to in The Return of the King is sometimes necessary for a pump up. If you’re in a bad mood or doing lighter homework, happy music can be nothing short of miraculous.
Plan or accomplish something that isn’t homework, but is still productive.
This way, homework isn’t a direct stressor, but you’re still “feeling productive.” Clean your room, do laundry, or even reorganize and add to your Pinterest boards. Even if it’s not “important,” as we consider work and actual chores, the simple act of controlling something, anything, can really get a handle on anxiety
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Rewards!
Having anxiety is like your brain being unable to decide between being a hypochondriac old lady and an easily distracted five-year-old. This is where reward systems come into play. Whether it’s chocolate or the promise of a terrible romcom after you’re done, give your easily distracted brain a carrot to keep it focused.
