For everyone that knows me, you know I am a HUGE stress ball sometimes. I stress out so much at times that I literally have broken out in a rash all over my body (I AM PATHETIC). I stress about the dumbest and most irrelevant things. It starts off by worrying about one small thing then the next thing I know, I am worrying about a hundred more things. If it's when I am going to make time to finish my paper, study for that test, and also get my laundry done, I know I am a big over thinker and worrier for no reason at all. I do give myself some credit, college is not an easy task. Trying to maintain a social life, get good grades, and make money; those three things are hard to juggle. College has taught me many ways to properly deal with my stress in a more healthier and not so chaotic way.
Sometimes, I catch myself laying in my bed and thinking about everything I need to get done that week instead of going and actually getting it done. I learned that this is exactly what NOT to do. Don't just sit and sympathize for yourself, that will really only make things worse and add more things to do on your plate. Even though it may take a lot of motivation and maybe sacrificing one night out to get a head start on the week, it will be worth it to just get everything out of the way now rather than later. Instead of just sitting, start doing. The more I have just sat and thought about my stress, the more I over think and procrastinate. DON'T PROCRASTINATE. Procrastinating is your worst enemy. The feeling of getting things done early and having free time.. Is literally the best feeling ever.
When I am overwhelmed and stressed, I forget to take care of myself and do things that make me happy. I have learned its the little things that truly count. If it's taking a hot bubble bath, jamming out to music alone, or going on a mcflurry run, when you feel way to stressed out: give yourself at least an hour or two to yourself to just relax. Do something that will clear your mind from all your worries. Alone time can be the best time every once in a while. Working out is a wonderful stress reliever as well. You don't have to be a body builder to hit up the gym. I go and simply walk on the treadmill sometimes when I feel like I need to burn off some calories and some stress. "You" time is a life savor.
If you have a hectic week coming up, use your weekend to your advantage. Yes, staying in while all your friends go out sometimes really sucks, but in the end, your saving yourself a whole mental breakdown and stress attack later on in the week. Studying for a test or writing a paper sleep deprived and hung over doesn't benefit you in any way, it's actually the worst thing ever. Missing ONE night out isn't going to kill you, your friends aren't going to forget about you, you will survive.
Last but not least...SLEEP. I have never loved naps more than I do now in college. I try to keep myself from taking more than 3 naps a week, but I always find a way to add more in there. A lot of the time, I like to try and get all my stuff done late at night which leads me to staying up till 3 in the morning and getting like five hours of sleep. It is a bad habit I have, but I am really trying to go to bed earlier. As humans and especially college kids, we need our sleep. When we are stressed, our bodies need more sleep and rest than usual. I know when I don't get enough sleep, I am in an awful mood and it feels like I got hit by a brick wall. If you don't get enough sleep, it is like a never ending cycle because the exhaustion gets worse and worse each day. If it's a 20 minute power nap or literally forcing yourself to go to sleep before midnight, DO IT. The more tired you are, the more stressed and not proactive you are going to be.
Overall, stress is never fun for anyone. I am still learning to work with my stress in a more beneficial and healthier. If you are like me, just remember to not let stress take over yourself and your day. Just breathe, stay positive, you can do it!
