Well it’s that time of the semester again! Sylllabus week seems like the distant past, and mid-terms are quickly approaching. With that, comes stress.
If you don’t manage it, stress can nearly break you. So, here’s a few Mizzou-specific ways to help you cope:
Take a yoga class
Yoga is a great way to relax and take your mind off of your stressor. Classes provide a soothing, relaxing atmosphere where you can just breathe.
I know many people who won’t take a class because they feel as though they aren’t flexible enough, but it isn’t about that. Yoga is about stretching, breathing and relaxing. What could be better than that? There’s also different levels from beginner to advanced that you can try out.
If you have a TigerX pass, you can take one of several yoga classes that the Rec offers (including one called “Stress Reduction Yoga”). If not, there are free yoga classes sponsored by the Student Health Center every day. Click here for more info.
There’s also different types of yoga in Columbia that you can try out. Some of the more interesting ones are Hot Yoga and Aerial Silks yoga. Also, many yoga studios in Columbia offer free trials for students, so why not try it out?
Meditate
Like yoga, Meditation is a great way to destress. By focusing on your breathing, you can calm your thoughts and clear your head.
Many people don’t believe in meditation and deem it a waste of their time. It doesn’t have to be a spiritual experience. Simply taking controlled, long breaths slows your heart rate.
The Student Health Center sponsors free meditation classes for students. You can get more info here. The Student Center also offers meditation alcoves in the basement for a quiet space to meditate.
You can also easily google a YouTube video and meditate on your own time in your dorm room or apartment.
Do a hardcore workout
Some people would rather over ride their thoughts instead of calming them. A great way to clear your head is to workout!
You can run on one of the machines or have your choice between an indoor or outdoor tracks at the Rec. You can also run outdoors around our street-lit campus at dusk or in the morning on the M-K-T Trail.
You can also join a game of pick-up sand volleyball or play a game of basketball in the Rec. If you’re really hardcore, you can do a tour de stade of Memorial Stadium.
Take a break and do something fun
Sometimes the best way to destress is to take a break and walk away. When you study the same material for hours straight, you can become frustrated and anxious.
Hit up stufftodo or gather up your friends for a night out. As long as you’re not avoiding your work or going out the night before, it’s okay, and actually smart, to take a break and have some fun!
Listen to some music
Lay on your bed, put in some headphones and listen to your favorite playlist. Music is proven to put you in a better mood and decrease stress.
Prepare for the upcoming concerts at the Blue Note by listening to their songs on Spotify or search for some coffeehouse tunes to wind you down.
If none of these work, you can always try walking across the engineering shamrock and hope for some love to come your way. Scientists say kissing reduces stress, you know!