It’s the end of the semester, and you know what that means: stress. Even under normal circumstances, the last few weeks of the semester are difficult enough to get through without going gray. However, we are also living through a pandemic, political polarization, and a historic trial. In short, too many things are going on, and it is all too much to handle.
While stress is a normal part of life and can even be beneficial, that doesn’t mean that it’s enjoyable. In fact, most people, including me, try to avoid it at all costs. Somehow, I have managed to get to this point without getting too stressed out, so I wanted to share what I do to mitigate stress in hopes that it helps you.
- Working Out
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Something about running and picking up heavy objects really helps to clear the mind. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m preparing for when I eventually turn my back on civilization and live on a goat farm with the love of my life, or maybe it’s just my competitive desire to outdo all the guys in the gym. Either way, it has never failed to help with stress.
- Pounce Cat Cafe
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Everyone who knows me knows I love cats. They are, simply put, 8-12 pounds of love and serotonin. The catharsis found in laying your head in the stomach of a cat is unmatched. Pounce Cat Cafe on Meeting Street has never failed to provide me with the experience of being with a cat since I left my own rotund feline at home. If you don’t want to pay the $15 required to go and play with the cats, just walking by is a free and easy serotonin boost and is overall very calming.
- Going Outside
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We are privileged to have a beautiful campus with plenty of outdoor space to attend online classes. Whether you want to watch the turtles in Stern Garden or watch all the dogs walking through the Cistern, there’s somewhere ideal for every occasion or desire. Being in the sun relieves stress, and I am fully convinced that those turtles have healing properties.
I hope this is able to help even one person. Good luck with finals!