It’s here, the dreaded finals week. If you’re anything like the rest of the student body your butt has been glued to a desk chair for the last few days and you could probably use a break. Here are eight, quick and simple ideas you can implement during your next break from studying that are sure to boost your productivity and make everything just a little bit easier.
1. Get Outside
Put down the textbook and go breathe some fresh air! Whether you do a quick power walk around the block or even move to a different floor of the library, getting your body moving is an easy way to feel recharged and refreshed.
2. Take a Music Break
Music can really affect your mood and if your study playlist is making you go insane switch it up. Put on some upbeat music and consider having a solo dance party. In public? Watch a music video or a choreographed dance routine. Just watching other people dance will make you start bobbing your head to the beat.
3. Get Up and Grab a Snack or a Drink
If you’ve been at it for hours chances are your drink and snack supply have run seriously low. Run to the kitchen or the closest store and pick up something. For food, focus on staying healthy. Fruits, veggies, and complex carbs will keep you full longer and not make you crash in an hour. When picking out something to drink make sure you take caffeine into consideration. While it may seem like a good idea to throw back a few lattes to keep your mind awake all that caffeine and sugar is going to eventually burn you out and start having the opposite effect. Opt for decaf teas, healthy juices, or good ‘ol water.
4. Talk it Out
Call up one of your parents, best friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, anyone who you havn’t spoken to in a little while. Whether you’re calling to vent about the thirteen pages of notes you just finished revising or just to hear about something that isn’t math, talking to someone can take your mind out of the room and off your stress.
5. Tidy Up
Now I know cleaning is probably the last thing you want to do but hear me out. A tidy space makes a tidy mine. Don’t you always feel better being in a clean room or having all the dishes done? So apply the concept to wherever you happen to be. If you’re home, tidy up the room you’re in or throw a load of laundry in. If you’re at school or a coffee shop clear up the space around you. Throw away any trash, put away pens and pencils you aren’t using or notes you’ve already finished. I promise you’ll feel so much better after a quick cleaning spree.
6. Meditate
If you’ve never meditated before you can try it out now. The simplified version of meditation is all about being aware of yourself and your breath. Taking three minutes to close your eyes and focus on nothing but breathing slowly can actually make quite a difference. If three minutes of doing nothing seems like a little too much start off with thirty seconds, even ten seconds, it’s all about figuring out what works best for you.
7. Focus on What You’ve Accomplished and Not What’s Left to Do
I know, we all of a tendency to focus only on what’s left to get done but by switching your perspective you can show yourself how far you’ve come. Instead of reminding yourself about the ten page paper you still haven’t started, think about all the outlines you’ve written and the tests you’ve already taken. Noticing that your “To Do List” has more checks than blank boxes can be an easy way to remind yourself that all of your hard work is paying off.
8. Wash Your Face
This last one may seem a little weird but it’s my personal favourite. If I’m really stressed out the first thing I do is wash my face. No matter what, I always feel better after. If you’re stuck at school try going to the bathroom and splashing cold water on your face or wetting a paper towel and dabbing it on areas that tend to overheat the fastest. These are places like your cheeks, the back of your neck and your forehead. After you’ve cooled off and unwound, going back to your work won’t seem as stressful.
There you have it folks, eight ways to destress during your next study break. Remembering to take breaks and be kind to your body will help keep you from getting sick and burning out from stress. I hope you try one of these tricks the next time you find a few spare minutes in between assignments. Good luck with finals and have an amazing winter break!