We’re halfway through the fall semester, which is both fantastic and horrifying. Fantastic, because we’ve hit the start of the holiday season, a time of year that can lift bruised spirits and provide us ample opportunities to eat our feelings. Horrifying, because term papers and finals lurk just around the corner (and some even lurk in the alleyway just before the corner that you don’t notice until it’s too late, and suddenly your wallet and decent GPA are mysteriously missing).
At times like these, it’s important to check in with ourselves, and make sure our mental health is still helping us stay afloat. It’s like a car tune-up or doctor’s office check-up; making sure that we are healthy mentally will keep us from burning out quickly or unexpectedly. Here are six ways to de-stress and recover from midterm madness.
1. Make a pump-up playlist
Everyone’s got a power song, something to listen to when you stalk across campus to your 8 a.m. exam or when you just need a break from your own head. For me, it’s songs like “Good For You” from Dear Evan Hansen and “Amelia” by Skott, while my other roommates listen to anything from Kanye West’s “Stronger” to literally anything by Britney Spears. With intense music pumping into your ears, those negative feelings and questions of, “Should I have studied for one more hour last night?” will fade away.
2. Draw or write
Give your hands something to do, whether that’s using fun printable coloring pages or ranting anonymously to get all those doubts and fears out of your system. You’ve probably heard that “idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” and though that doesn’t literally mean you’ll be building pitchforks for Lucifer, it’s probably a good idea to keep yourself occupied with constructive activities.
3. Treat Yo Self
Most of you have hopefully seen this episode of Parks and Recreation. It’s funny, of course, but it has a great message: it’s okay to splurge once in a while. In fact, it might even be healthy. So even if you don’t need those cashmere slippies or that Batman costume, buy it anyway. It’ll feel good to treat yo self.
4. Read one of your favorite books
At least once a year, I reread my all-time favorite book, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. It’s so cathartic to slip back into a story I’m so familiar with and to reunite with characters and a world I love. Even if you pick up a book from your childhood, like Goodnight Moon or The Tale of Despereaux, you’ll get those warm fuzzies and your mind will hopefully be put at ease.
5. Watch a scary movie
What better way to make your own problems seem insignificant than by scaring yourself senseless? Figure out what scares you—gore, torture, ghosts, creepy dolls—and search for movies that fit that criteria. Netflix and Amazon Prime are sure to have a wide selection if your local library is sparsely populated with chillers and thrillers. And besides, it’s October—the perfect time to watch spooky flicks.
6. Contact counseling services
It’s always okay to reach out for help if you need it. Counseling services is there to help people with any issue, no matter how minor it may seem. Appointments are easy to make, and can help students feel happier and more comfortable. We’ve all gotta let it out at times.
Don’t let midterms bully your mood around. Keep yourself occupied and distracted, and then you’ll be able to keep your head above the water. At least, until finals.