We all have those moments during final exams where we need to express our rising cortisol levels and unending stress. I have collaborated with some of the finest psychologists in all of the land to come up with some strategies on how to deal with these intense emotions.
1. Have a relaxing bath with a nice mellow playlist.
Light as many candles as you get your hands on for ultimate bliss. Here is a playlist to try with your at-home spa:
2. RUN!
Get off your bum and get outside for a study break and embrace the endorphins! It will help clear your mind and start your next chapter refreshed. Anyone can run, look at Phoebe from Friends.
3. Yoga.
Breathe deeply, meditate and regain your Zen before you fight the fire of Calculus—or whatever your subject may be. There is a plethora of benefits that the practice of Yoga can provide, but just finding your way to the mat for 10 minutes can help you feel rested and rejuvenated. If you need more guidance, Campus Rec offers classes or YogaShack’s hot yoga is wonderful.
4. Make a cup of tea (or coffee).
Taking a break to get up and make a nice cup of green tea—or whatever exotic David’sTea you prefer—can bring such newfound relaxation to the table. Not to mention there’s nothing that a little caffeine can’t help with.
5. Impersonate a Mermaid.
Find a good place that looks like a rock (middle of Concrete Beach will do just fine). Once you have found an ideal area where you sense a mermaid might reside, put on your imaginary (or real) mermaid tail. Next, perform whatever movement you think a mermaid would do (swimming, singing, luring wanton sailors are all valid options).
6. In the middle of an exam try to embody your inner peacock.
By this, I mean to start screaming like a peacock looking for their lost mate. Put yourself into the part, really scream like you mean it. The sound is more guttural than you would think, and involves the dainty midway between a scream and a wailing dead cat, with an “ahh” and finishes with a soft, yet pitchy, “o” at the end.
7. Steal someone’s cat or dog and claim it as your own.
Once you have found your new “rescue pet,” bathe it, feed it and make it a new outfit. Six hours later, when the true owners call after frantically looking for “Peanut” (who apparently is named Kayla), grudgingly oblige. Take “Peanut” back to the owners with a Christmas card explaining the confusion. #stressfree