Stress, stress and more stress! It feels as though every day of my very busy life I’m stressing over the smallest things or even nothing at all. Everyone has something or some things in their life that push them to their point of emotional stability.
For example, with being part of a sorority, having a part-time job, and going to classes full time, there are moments when you feel like the whole universe is against you. Sometimes, the emotional pressure put on by multiple things at once can quickly bring out the worst in anyone. It is about time we put an end to the hair pulling and teeth grinding and shift our attention towards the things that can help us say goodbye to those bad vibes!
1. Food
We all know that when we stress we really like to eat, not even because we are hungry but because it is a comfortable and easy solution to any problem. The problem with doing this is that we tend to reach for the nearest candy bar rather than taking a walk to find a healthier choice. However, for some of us, we even tend to stay away from food which can cause your body to eat away at the muscle that you've built up over time.
Stress, in general, can even cause us to gain weight! But when it comes to even the most stressful of days, we need to remember to take in those daily nutrients. For example, bananas. Say it with me, it’s bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Banana’s are actually known for not only being a delicious treat with some peanut butter, but for also helping reduce stress, boost energy, and much more! Bananas contain a high level of a chemical called tryptophan that is later transferred into serotonin, known as the happy good mood chemical. For more facts feel free to visit Food Matters! If you are not a banana lover, you can visit Health.com for more options.
2. Exercise
Do not let this word scare you off! I am not going to tell you to go do some cross fit or to climb Mount Everest. I am talking about exercises you enjoy doing in your everyday life such as a walk on a nice sunny day, going for a run, or even playing a sport you truly enjoy. By doing things you love, you are not only sweating off some extra calories but you are also converting that stress into something you love which can help boost those serotonin levels.
3. Time Management
During school, especially college. Time management is a successful task we tend to ignore way too much. When you get an assignment, make sure you are writing down the date and time it is due and get it done ASAP. Putting off assignments till the last minute will only make you overwhelmed and you don’t want to deal with too many assignments at once.
4. Have Fun!
Go have lunch with a friend or even stay in and watch a movie, just do something fun! By keeping your mind preoccupied you will not be thinking about that boy who didn’t text you back or that one exam you have tomorrow. Take breaks and have some fun, over thinking and over doing are NOT as helpful as they may seem.
5. Pamper Yourself
Make an appointment to get your nails done, take a bubble bath, maybe even get a massage. It is good to remind yourself what a gem you truly are. When things get rough it is important not to knock yourself down. It only adds on more stress and makes a situation worse than it actually is. Also, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, give yourself too many impossible expectations. You are only one person and you cannot put yourself on a pedestal 24/7.
