Getting through finals week is definitely the worst time of the year for anyone in college, and having an anxiety disorder can make it infinitely more challenging. Learning to balance the stress of managing your time, while also juggling all the panic and racing thoughts you can’t always control, can drive anyone absolutely insane. Here are some tips that have helped me tackle my anxiety during finals week to get everything I need to get done in one peace.
1) Breathing!
Learning to control your breathing when you start to panic is such an important skill to have. When we get super stressed, our breathing automatically starts to quicken and we take shallower breaths, while when we are calm, it's the opposite. Controlling your breathing actually tricks your brain into calming down, and studies have shown that people who practice square breathing twice a day significantly improved their overall levels of stress and anxiety.
Sleeping is so important when managing anxiety, but is also so difficult to acquire when your mind is racing nonstop. Avoiding caffeinated drinks in the evening and trying to get all your work done two hours before you actually get to bed can help give your brain a break so you can get some sleep.
3) Making Lists!
This sounds a little obvious, but making lists helps so much when you have a million and one things to tackle in a short period of time. Not only is making a list helpful, but being able to cross things off your list gives you an awesome sense of accomplishment and boosts your motivation to get everything done.
4) Talking To Someone
Talking to a friend or someone you trust can be super helpful when things become overwhelming. It's completely okay to have a meltdown every once in a while. We're all human, and having a brain that likes to go a little haywire once in a while doesn't make it any easier. Talking about the things that are stressing you out with someone else can even help you rationalize some of the crazy thoughts that are going through your head that might not be as serious as you're making it out to be.
5) Remembering Break Is Just Around the Corner!
Having something to look forward to after a hard week of exams is a huge motivator to just do your best and power through the end of the semester. It can be discouraging to dwell on all the work you have to do, so I like to think more about how in a week I won't have to worry about any of it anymore.
6) Remember You Aren't Alone!
As anxious and overwhelmed as you are, just know that you aren't the only one feeling it. Anxiety is super common and millions of people have learned to overcome it, and so can you!
