As the semester progresses, all of our obligations are ramping up at high speed. Sports, classes, clubs, and maintaining friendships, how do we do it all without pulling our hair out? Here are some tips to reduce stress during the academic year.
Drink Water
I got this suggestion from my favorite author, Rachel Hollis, who writes leadership genre books. She says if you drink half of your body weight in ounces every day, the water will flush out all harmful toxins in your body, reducing bloat. It will not only hydrate your skin, but it will also make you feel refreshed. Drinking water also helps those who stress eat because we sometimes mistake our body’s signals. Often we are not hungry, but rather thirsty.
Eat “Right”
Think of it this way: your body is a Ferrari. You want your car to go fast, so do you fuel your engine with poison or the right gasoline? The answer to that is (I am hoping) the proper gasoline, or else your car will break down. If you are not skipping meals and are consuming fruits and vegetables (instead of McDonald’s chicken nuggets or Taco Bell’s soft taco), your body will take in a large amount of B12. B12 boosts neurotransmitters in your brain and releases serotonin, which regulates your mood. Vegetables also reduce the risks of conditions that are often caused by too much stress, such as heart disease, strokes, and digestive problems.
One Free Hour Method
This idea came from yours, truly. You dedicate one hour each day to a hobby or a skill that you are passionate about at any point in the day that you can. Whether it be watching an episode of The Bachelor on ABC, baking cookies with friends and family, going for a run, or reading with a cup of tea in your hand, it is essential to spend downtime to preserve your energy. That way, you can floor that Ferrari during the workday. For instance, I like to get up an hour early before my day starts to write in my journal, or I do an abdominal workout. Both activities make me happy because they free my stress and put me in a good mood before my real obligations of the day begin.
Spend 30 minutes MOVING
I say “moving” because it does not have to be a two-and-a-half-hour crazy workout. Walking, running, or biking, your body releases dopamine and endorphins that make you feel happy, which beats sitting on the couch. For example, during the academic year, I practice on the swim and dive team, which helps release stress from my workday and makes me feel better.