Breathe
GiphyEvery time I stress out and begin to panic, I control my breathing. Breathe in for 8 seconds, hold it for 8 seconds, and breathe out. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This helps to slow your heart rate and get you centered and focused before diving into the task at hand.
Pet some animals
GiphyIt is scientifically proven that petting animals can reduce stress, and it works for me. Petting, holding, and hugging cats and dogs can work wonders for stress levels.
Listen to music
GiphyAny genre of music can relive stress, it just depends on what is preferred. You can dance your stress away or jam out to your favorite songs or just put on some relaxing background noise. There is also a song called "Weightless" by Marconi Union that many people have recommended to listen to as it is calming and reduces stress and anxiety.
Exercise or go for a walk
GiphyWalk that stress off. Using some of your energy towards exercising leaves you more relaxed than you were before. This can also give you time to think about your stressors and help you feel less worried about them, which will give you a clear mind and motivation to take care of them.
Meditate
GiphyThere are many ways to meditate. Meditating helps clear your mind and a clear mind will help keep you focused.
Talk yourself through it
GiphyTalk yourself though everything that is stressing you out. Make a game plan to finish the tasks at hand.
Take a nap
GiphyPeople almost always feel better after a nap, especially if they need it. Being well rested can help you stay focused and get the job done.
Treat yourself
GiphyBuy something you have always wanted, get a large instead of a medium, anything! You have been working hard and deserve something nice, so reward yourself for all of your work so far.
Practice self care
GiphyHave a spa day, get your nails done, anything! People will sometimes neglect themselves if they get too stressed out so take a day for self care; it might make you feel better.
Do not do unnecessary work
GiphyDo not take on extra work if you will not be able to handle it. Finish assignments before starting or taking on new ones. Hard work and unnecessary work are completely different.
Stay motivated
Staying motivated can be hard. Find something to look forward to once the stressor is relieved and use that as motivation.
Point out your 5 senses
GiphyIf you find yourself engulfed in stress, thinking about every stressor that is effecting you in the moment, try stating what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. This is an effective form of mindfulness to aid in being present and aware of surroundings.
Take a break
GiphyStepping back for a couple of minutes will help your mind regroup and give you a second wind. Taking breaks is important when working hard. It gives you a couple of minutes to relax before getting back to it.
Stay calm and take care of yourself. You can get through this!
20 Lessons I Learned Before I Turned 20
I have learned so much over these past 20 years, but I still have a long way to go.
Let's face it, turning 20 is a weird thing. You can drive at 16, you are a legal adult at 18 and you can drink at 21, so in the grand scheme of things, 20 is an insignificant age. However, when you turn 20, and that suffix of "teen" is no longer behind your age, it hits you. You're not a kid anymore. When you make mistakes at 20, people don't defend you anymore by saying, "Oh she's just young, she doesn't know any better." When you're 20, you are expected to have your shit together because you should have accumulated a vast amount of knowledge over these past 20 years, and let me tell you, that fucking sucks. But this is not a post of regret, this is a post of reflection. So please enjoy 20 years of lessons that I had no idea I was learning.
1. It's ok to make mistakes.
Hannah Montana said it best, "nobody's perfect." You're going to mess up so much in life, but you would never grow if you didn't make a mistake here and there.
2. Sometimes, you're going to be in the right, but when you are in the wrong, don't try to hide it or fight to prove your point. Just own that you were wrong and move on.
Being right 100% of the time is not only not natural, but not healthy. No one knows everything.
3. You have to fight for what you want, nothing is handed to you.
Working hard will get you so much further in life, so don't just sit around expecting good things to come your way.
4. Appreciate every day you have, whether good or bad.
You are still alive, you are still breathing. Those two things in and of themselves are the greatest blessings.
5. In bad situations, it's all about how you react.
You can make the best out of every situation, and nothing is ever past the point of fixing.
6. There's no weakness in asking for help.
If you try to take care of everything yourself, you will wind up exhausted and probably worse off then you were before. Asking for help is actually one the smartest and strongest things you can do.
7. Always be open to listening to other perspectives. Who knows, you could maybe learn something from them.
Every person you meet is going to have different experiences from you, so they must likely won't agree with you on everything. But just because they may not side with your point, doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to them.
8. When you are happy, don't look for reasons why you shouldn't be. Just be happy.
Don't keep looking for something bad coming around the corner, just enjoy being happy. Being comfortable in your happiness is one of the hardest things to do (trust me, I know), but it is so worth it in the end.
9. Take advice from those older than you, they do know a few things.
Whether it's your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, professors, or an old dude on the street, they have lived a lot more life than you, so they definitely have learned a few more lessons.
10. Life will throw curveballs at you, don't try to dodge them.
Curveballs and obstacles are a natural part of life, so don't try to dodge them, just handle them as they come at you.
11. Find something to be thankful for everyday.
Whether it is something trivial or major, there is always something out there to be thankful for.
12. If someone isn't treating you the way you deserve to be treated, leave them behind.
The sooner your recognize that you are being treated like shit, the sooner you can change things. Don't settle with being treated poorly, no one deserves that.
13. There is such a thing as luck, but it's not a given.
Luck comes to those deserving of it, so, basically, don't be an asshole.
14. Don't try to look like everybody else. Relish in what makes you unique.
If everybody looked and acted exactly the same, the world would be a pretty boring place. There's only one you in the world, so be awesome.
15. Having a few close friends is much better than having a lot of fake ones.
Your close friends will be there for you no matter what, so it is so essential to have those people who you know you could come to anytime, any day, anywhere.
16. Don't go looking for love, it will find you.
The age old saying, "Love will come when you least expect it" is so unbelievably true, so don't try to force it. If it's meant to be, it will be.
17. Do what you love, love what you do.
Find a job that makes you hop out of bed every morning, eager to face what the day will bring. You will be a whole lot happier in the long run.
18. Don't waste your time trying to get people to like you. The people who do like you will show it.
When you find people who truly love you for who you are, it all comes easily.
19. Trust your gut. You know when things are right and when they are wrong.
Intuition is a very powerful thing, so harness it. At the end of the day, no one knows you better than you know yourself.
20. I still have a lot to learn.
I cannot wait to see what more lessons the rest of my life will hold. Bring it on baby!