8 Tactics to Help Manage Your Stress
We’ve all had those days or even weeks when school work is piling up, you’ve gotten embarrassingly less than the recommended 8 hours a night and your mom is still wondering when you’re going to call her. College can be a really hectic time in a young woman’s life and the pressure to get good grades, be social and get involved can make you feel like there’s no way to do it all. Take a deep breath though (no really, try it!). Here’s a list of the 8 best ways to help you chill out when life gets to be just a bit too much.
1. Aromatherapy
Using an essential oil diffuser is my new go to way for some immediate relaxation. Essential oils come in a wide variety of scents from peppermint, that helps ease headaches, to lavender, which is ideal for stress relief. You can find a good diffuser for around $16 like this best seller on amazon.com, plus bottles of essential oil can last for months. Alternatively, lighting some soothing candles and breathing in the happy scents is another great option.
2. Exercise
We all know the famous Elle Woods quote, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” Well, turns out she was right about more than just hair care for perms. It’s easy to skip the gym when you’re feeling overwhelmed, but try your best to make time for it because, besides toning your booty, exercise does great things for reducing your levels of stress and anxiety.
3. Get enough sleep
Sleep is an essential ingredient in living a healthy lifestyle and consistently getting enough sleep is a great preventive approach to reduce stress. Lack of sleep among college students is a growing epidemic. Spokespeople such as Arianna Huffington and The Center for Disease Control have talked repeatedly on how this can seriously damage a student’s physical, mental and emotional health. It may feel like you have to glue your butt to that library desk until 2 a.m., but just remember getting enough sleep is just as important to your grade as doing your homework.
4. Eat healthy
Eating healthy goes along with just generally taking care of yourself. The type of food you put into your body is directly related to how you feel. Eating poorly can exacerbate the internal issues (bloating, reflux, constipation) that often accompany stress. If you’re someone who experiences stress physically it’s best to avoid the desire to pig out on your favorite comfort food. Instead, look up some tasty recipes filled with vitamins and antioxidants to keep you in tip-top shape.
5. Get some fresh air
Research indicates that the vitamin D boost from sunlight may elevate your levels of feel-good serotonin. Founder and CEO of the Stress Institute Kathleen Hall, said in an interview for health.com that taking in the sights, sounds, and smells around you redirects your focus from your worries. So, enjoy the great fall weather while it lasts and go for a quick walk around our beautiful campus.
6. Do something mindless
Sometimes we unintentionally build up how bad our stress is just because we’ve been talking about it or focusing on it for too long. Take 30 minutes to take your mind off of it and then come back feeling refreshed and re-evaluate how much you actually have to do. Emily Barnum, clinical counselor at the University of Illinois Counseling Center, says she tries to “zoom out and gain perspective. If it isn’t a matter of life and death, I try not to be too serious.” Things like watching a TED talk, listening to a podcast or reading a chapter of a book can put your mind in a different space for little while.
7. Use an agenda or planner
Having all of you plans, assignments, exams, work, socials, etc. all in one place can be a lifesaver! Being able to quickly look ahead and plan out time-management can make your load seem a lot smaller. Seeing on Monday that you have a paper due Friday will help you stay on track and not feel so overwhelmed when the due date is all of a sudden the next day. Bonus: if you have a social event that week you’re dying to go to, your planner can help you map out all the crucial things you need to get done beforehand so you can hit the town!
8. Listen to music
Music is a true form of therapy. Weather it’s a dedicated relaxation playlist like this one found on Spotify, or just some of your favorite tunes that you know will put a smile on your face, putting in your headphones and tuning out the world for a little can make you feel a millions times better. There’s hundreds of different genres out there so spend a little time finding the music that works best for you. If you feel like you really need to go for it don’t be afraid to turn this into a personal dance party and shake it out!