So Jan Plan is over. Overwhelming, I know. Now, instead of one (probably fun and easy) class or internship, you have four or five. And you still have clubs, activities, maybe a job, and of course, your social life to manage. With all these obligations and commitments, it can be hard to find time to relax. No worries, though, Her Campus has come to the rescue, and we have come well-equipped with several strategies to relieve stress!
At first glance, everything you need to do on a given day may seem daunting and quite frankly, impossible to accomplish. But I have found that if you schedule everything out into manageable chunks, then the work load becomes much less frightening. While planning your day, is best to incorporate a couple of breaks into your schedule. Not only do breaks add a little spice to the monotony of countless homework assignments, but they also have a motivational effect—breaks give you something to look forward to as you work through a long paper, difficult problem set, or a dry reading assignment.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to take a break and relieve stress.
1. Exercise: A trip to the gym is a great break from homework. I have found that not only does the cold from a 10-15 walk to the Athletic Center (in the winter) wake you up, but the exercise you do once there gives you something to focus on other than those things you’re currently stressing out about. Scientifically, this is because you release endorphins while exercising. Can’t take a long break? No worries. There are plenty of quick workouts that you can do simply from your dorm room. Check out this article (http://hercampus.com/school/colby/gym-chronicles-dorm-room-workouts) by Colby’s own Her Campus Correspondent Brett Depper Goldstein for more dorm room workout ideas!
2. Showers: Call me crazy, but a hot shower is one of my favorite ways to relieve stress. There’s nothing better, in my opinion, than lathering up with one of my favorite scented soaps or shampoos, and listening to some soothing music while doing so! And lucky for me and my sanity, scientists agree—experts, in fact, note that showers calm your muscles immediately upon impact!
3. Hulu: It is easy to become a Hulu addict. This type of addiction can be either good or bad. It can be bad, because, in many cases, shows on Hulu become so gripping that they spark massive procrastination. But Hulu can also be a good thing in the sense that the site can function as an agent of relaxation. After all, what better to do in between homework assignments than take a mental breather by catching up on one or two queues?
4. Listen to Music: Nowadays, there is a song out there that fits every mood. So pump up the music while doing homework and energize yourself! Or, take a break from your obligations and listen to music while completing another mind-releasing activity. Play it while you clean up your room. Play it while you snack. Maybe take a power nap with your iPod on. After all, the best thing about music is that it can be used to make something totally boring, enjoyable, or to make something enjoyable just plain thrilling!
5. Try the Beauty Treatment: When all else fails, pamper yourself! One of my favorite ways to release stress is to get my nails done at Regal Nails (in the Waterville WalMart) every other week. The process takes about an hour, but I always feel relaxed and rejuvenated when I walk out the door. If you’re in a rush, give yourself a manicure or pedicure and invite a couple friends over to do the same! Make an appointment for a haircut, a facial, or a massage. Trust me; you’ll be happy you did!
So take a study break and try out our suggestions! Or, have another interesting strategy? Let us know, below!
Photo Sources:
http://www.tripar.com/product.php?id=421802U6BG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21192563@N02/2219850053/
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4914461_exercise-relieve-stress.html
http://www.soyouwanna.com/use-shower-relieve-stress-33334.html