April has arrived, which means so have finals, papers, and projects. While stress is inevitable during this time, remembering the following things could help you to feel more relaxed and less anxious. Better yet, all these tips are free!
Smile
Even the smallest act of smiling can help to relieve stress. According to recent studies and experiments, just smiling can help one’s body to relax and feel happier. Laughing, however, is a real stress-buster… but laughing as you study for your biochemistry final might be a little discerning to those around you. So, try to at least smile!
Organize
There can never be too many lists. When you’re stressed out and feel like you’re being pulled in all types of directions, remember to organize your thoughts and list them on paper. In addition to helping to remember all your tasks, writing them down also gives you a sense of time management. Crossing each task out once you complete them also makes you feel accomplished, even if for a minute.
Sleep
College students are notorious for sacrificing sleep. While caffeine can keep you alert, only sleep can keep you relaxed. When deciding whether to pull an all-nighter or sleep, it’d be best to sleep, because your body needs rest to function properly. So be sure to get some sleep!
Hydrate
Most people simply do not drink enough water. Boston College actually reported in 2007 that two-thirds of Americans don’t drink enough water! Being dehydrated can cause the body to feel anxious, because our organs need water to function properly. So, just drinking a glass of water could induce some feeling of relaxation.
Exercise
Even just taking a ten-minute study break to take a walk outside can help relieve stress. Exercising releases endorphins in the brain, which trigger a positive feeling in the body. Fresh air and warm sunshine – what could be better than that?
Picture: http://rpm-therapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/student_stress.jpg