Whether it’s the end of the semester and you’re faced with piles of work, or you’ve been working tirelessly at your job, it’s easy to start losing your motivation. Stressful situations and ongoing lists of deadlines can leave you feeling crushed under the weight of so many tasks, so it’s important to find time to do something for yourself. Here are a few activities to help you reset and stay motivated when stress levels are high with work or school!
- CROCHETING
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Whether it’s your first time crocheting or you’ve done it a million times before, crocheting is a great activity to help get your mind off of anything that’s stressing you out. If you’ve never crocheted before, you can either find tutorials online or order a beginner kit from a brand like The Woobles. Kits like these will walk you through each new stitch step-by-step, making it the perfect low-stakes activity to try. Plus, you’ll end the process with a cute new crocheted stuffed animal or your new favorite sweater!
- COLLAGES
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Another super fun way to destress is to make collages. You can use some of your own photos or cut pictures out of magazines and newspapers and put them together to make something entirely new. There are so many options when you get into making a collage, including mood boards, posters, or even just crafting a small bookmark. By the end of the process, your mind will likely feel cleared enough to dive back into your work.
- POTTERY
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One of the best ways to ease your mind after a stressful week is to dive into pottery. While not everyone has access to clay and a wheel, or even a pottery studio to go to, there are tons of other ways to design your own pot. Many art centers will offer pottery painting if you don’t feel comfortable designing something from start to finish. You can add your own personal touch to a pre-made item with a splash of color and leave with a new mug and the energy to tackle more work.
- JEWELRY MAKING
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Making your own jewelry may sound intimidating, but there are so many different methods for designing bracelets and necklaces. From braiding colorful string into various patterns to stringing beads together to make something that reflects your personality, there are so many different options to make something uniquely you that also helps you escape from repetitive, stressful tasks.
- DRAWING
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You don’t have to be Picasso to try your hand at art. If you don’t feel quite advanced enough to fill up a sketch book, you can still tap into your artistic side by finding a coloring book that piques your interest. Drawing is a very low-risk activity that can allow you to zone out while still feeling productive. By the time you’ve filled the pages with color, you’ll feel recharged and ready to tackle the week ahead!
- EXERCISE
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We’ve all heard it before, but exercise is one of the best ways to get out of your own head after a long week. Whether you enjoy running, going on walks, going to your favorite workout class, hitting the gym, or simply going on a hike, pushing yourself to get out and move will help you shake off the stress of school and work and come back feeling like there’s less weight on your shoulders.
Hopefully, this gives you a few ideas for new things you can try the next time you are feeling overwhelmed by your workload. These fun activities will give you a break from a monotonous cycle and leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to dive back into your work!
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