When college gets too stressful, we as college students, or at least me as a college student, feel the desperate need to drop everything and leave. While leaving permanently is definitely not something I would recommend, getting away for the weekend is an almost definite must, especially for students who live on campus.
Leaving campus for the weekend can take you away, at least momentarily from the stress that classes are causing. You can do something as simple as going home or even take a weekend trip to somewhere fun/relaxing. (Side note: I am not recommending you skip classes because that will probably stress you out even more). Going home or getting away can allow you to spend time shopping, a stress reliever for me personally, or eat a home cooked meal which is definitely something that tends to be missed when away at college.
However, getting away isn't the only way to relieve your stress. Another good way is exercise. Yes, I know we've all heard this and I know a lot of us have considered it a great idea until it actually came down to doing it. But, if you feel the strong urge to punch anyone who looks your way, go take it out in the gym. Working out releases endorphins and endorphins are lovely naturally produced painkillers that your body releases when you put it into action. Releasing these into your body can help get rid of all the pent up stress and it also just feels good to say that you worked out one day.
Another good way of relieving stress is to figure out exactly what is stressing you out and seeing if you can alter anything in your life to make it less stressful. While you can't remove everything in your life that causes bad stress, you can possibly adjust things. For example, if you work right after class and your stress about being able to get there on time, try and adjust your work schedule. I know this isn't always possible, but there is no harm in asking.
Cleaning your room or car or even backpack or purse can help relieve stress as well. An organized room may not exactly equal organized life, but it does get you one step closer. The process of throwing things away, put things in their places, or just reorganizing can be a good way to put your mind on something else even for a little while.
Journaling is also a good stress reliever. Getting everything that is swelling inside of you out onto a piece of paper can feel so good. This allows you to talk it out with yourself and also let some of it go. And, if talking it out with yourself isn't effective, talk it out with someone else. Call your mom or aunt or grandma, text your best friend, or sit down with your roommate or adviser. A good way to get rid of stress is to understand exactly what it is and what it is doing to you and sometimes only another person can effectively put that into perspective for you.
To have a stress-free life would be a miracle and a gift, which is why practically no one is ever without stress. Some stress is good stress, like planning for a celebration, but a lot of it is bad and even unnecessary. Relieving the stress in your life can be useful for a happier and healthier you.
