Harvard researchers estimate that 60-90% of doctor’s visits are caused by stress. Stress is linked to heart attacks, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, chronic pain, insomnia, depression, and many more health concerns. College, unfortunately, can be a stress hub for most, if not all, students. From never ending assignments and exams to the basic stresses of life, it’s easy to feel like you’re permanently walking underneath a rain cloud and just waiting for the storm to pass…. but feels like it never does! Fortunately for you, there are healthy and productive ways to tackle your stress with simple relaxation techniques. Sometimes just taking 5-10 minutes out of your busy day can help improve your overall academic performance in addition to making you more positive. Try out one of these tips and notice an immediate boost in energy and attitude that will turn your stress into success!
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Herbal Teas
Coffee seems to be the eternal savior for stressed out college students running on little to no sleep. However, getting hooked on this sweet piece of heaven is actually more hazardous to your health than you may think. Despite coffee giving you that much needed energy boost, later in the day you’ll find yourself in a slump reaching for yet another cup of coffee. Break the addiction by swapping it out for some herbal tea. I personally love green tea! It has nearly the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, yet it gives you constant energy unlike coffee. Before bed, try sipping on some caffeine-free tea like chamomile to help soothe and relax your aching mind. Not only will you be feeling instantly warmer inside, but your quality of sleep will be improved as well.
2. Meditation
Studies show that consistent meditators experience a 70% reduction in anxiety compared to people who don’t practice meditation. With the abundance of free meditative apps and yoga flow YouTube videos it would be a shame not to use them to relieve your stress. Meditating for as few as 10 minutes per day can help you control stress, decrease anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation. There are many kinds of meditation such as mantra, guided, tai chi, qigong, and transcendental. The opportunities are endless, however WikiHow explains Meditation step by step in a simple and orderly fashion giving anyone the tips and tricks to one day mastering the art of meditation!
3. Essential Oils
Have you ever walked into a spa and wondered what smelled so good? Why was it making you feel so relaxed and bring out your inner yogi? Well, that smell was most likely an essential oil. Used typically in the practice of aromatherapy, essential oils deliver the beneficial healing properties of certain plants in a direct and highly concentrated form. They can either be used directly on the skin (WARNING: only use special oils meant for skin application if you are going to do this) or you can diffuse them in any oil diffuser. They have healing properties that are used for anything ranging from pain relief to emotional therapy. Some of the more popular oils known to relieve stress are:
Lavender: Easily the most popular of all essential oils, lavender is known as the “universal oil.” With its calming, earthy, slightly sweet and freshly floral scent, it is widely beloved for its relaxing and balancing effects on both the physical and emotional bodies.
Rose: Another highly versatile essential oil, rose provides relief from both stress and anxiety, including the treatment of eczema and menopausal symptoms.
Chamomile: Chamomile, like the tea, is known as the “gentle relaxant.” It not only soothes the nervous system promoting a better sleep, but in some cases it has been known to cure insomnia.
Vanilla: The famous bean that made its way into an iconic ice cream flavor is now proving to have many health benefits as well. Vanilla has the ability to both soothe in tranquil relaxation and stimulate mental clarity. It has also been proven effective in relieving upset stomachs and reducing cravings for sweets.
4. Sleep
Survey findings show that stress may be getting in the way of quality sleep. A study conducted on a group of adults reported that people who sleep an average of 6.7 hours a night experienced higher levels of stress than those who slept the recommended 7-9 hours. By incorporating a more stable sleep cycle into your life, you will not only greatly reduce your stress levels, but will also become an overall more optimistic and happy person! Some ways to incorporate better sleeping habits is through developing habits! Studies suggest starting out small by adding 15 minutes of extra sleep per night until you reach the recommended 7-9. In addition, by eliminating exposure to the light from your computer screen, cell phone, etc. an hour prior to rest will help your brain wind down. Try reading a book while sipping on some herbal tea! Lastly, focus on mentally conditioning yourself for a more tranquil sleep. Associate your bedroom with a peaceful haven; a calm and serene resting place. People suffering from insomnia can especially benefit from this. However, if you are one of the few college students that actually get the recommended amount of sleep then keep it up. If you are not though, like myself, then now is the time to change! It’s never too late to implement these habits into your daily routine. Not only will your sleep improve and stress reduce, but you will create long-standing habits only enabling you for future success.
Stress in small doses teaches resilience and at times is a motivator for success! However, an overwhelming amount of stress, the kind most college students deal with on a daily basis, can be crippling for overall performance in school and daily activities. It is an unnecessary roadblock for students hindering them from fulfilling everything they are truly capable of. I am speaking to you now, YES YOU! Just breathe. It is absolutely okay to take a breather whether or not you are stressed. Some well deserved “me time” is essential for surviving the chaos of school sometimes. I am giving you a goal this week, find some time to relax for yourself. Whether that be watching a movie, sipping on some tea, or taking a hot shower, pamper yourself and enjoy the beautiful simplicities of life.
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