We are now four weeks into the semester and, if you’re anything like me, have already started stressing. Research papers, pages and pages of assigned reading, vocabulary quizzes, and before we know it, midterms. It can feel like a lot, and if you are juggling school along with a job and a social life, everything can just feel downright impossible. While we are constantly bombarded by study techniques and ways to organize our lives, stress and how to deal with it in a healthy manner is often overlooked. No one is immune from stress, so let’s look over a few ways to keep your brain flowing and a smile on your face.
1. Catch some Z's!
We've all heard this one before, but it is so undeniably true. Too much sleep can cause a feeling of sluggishness and lack of motivation while not enough sleep can cause delirium and extreme irritability (I can vouch for that one!). The right amount of sleep (seven to nine hours) will help you function as well as focus longer. Don't cheat yourself out of a good night's sleep. Cramming for an exam? It's OK to put the books to the side and take a nap so that you can wake up in a better mood and more motivated.
2. Pump some iron!
Exercise is, in fact, one of the best stress reducers you could turn to! Exercise releases endorphin s in your body, which are comparable to little happy chemicals that will leave you feeling relieved and stress-free. And it doesn't have to be super extreme. Simply 20 minutes of yoga or a short walk around the neighborhood can significantly improve your mood as well as your mindset -- perfect for that late-night study sesh!
3. Don't overwork yourself!
It's one thing to be a motivated college student involved in multiple extracurriculars while also maintaining a job and keeping up with a social life. But it's another if you have bitten off more than you can chew. Learn that it is OK to say no to something that you don't think you can handle! Too many classes? Drop one. Behind on homework? Stay in this weekend and get it done at a steady pace. Working long hours? Opt for a schedule change that works better for you. Don't run yourself ragged trying to keep up with activities and responsibilities. Pace yourself!
4. You-time!
Being surrounded by classmates, coworkers, family, and friends while constantly checking up on Twitter and Instagram can become completely exhausting. A really good way to reduce stress is to allocate some alone time. Spending some time with me, myself, and I can be extremely therapeutic. The speed of society today does not allow a lot of time for deep personal thinking, so try and make some time for yourself to do exactly that. Curl up with a book and a cup of tea, or go walk around a local park. Being alone isn't something that should be feared or underestimated -- in fact, it's something we all need!
5. Practice positive thinking!
Being caught in a whirlwind of work and responsibilities is a perfect recipe for negative and destructive thinking. But instead of telling yourself, "There's no way you can do this," try to consciously eliminate this rude self-talk. Being stuck in a constant cycle of negative thoughts can actually decrease your motivation! It is easy to seek reinforcement from family and friends, but if you yourself do not believe you can do something, then any type of outside encouragement becomes almost useless. So the next time you find yourself pulling an all-nighter, thinking an essay you wrote "sucks," tell yourself that you've done the absolute best that you can. We all deserve a little self-encouragement!
