Stressed out? Me? No, never! Que the nervous laughter and frenzied hair twirling. Unfortunately, I’ve never been the best at managing my own stress. I have coping methods that help relieve some of the built-up tension, yet despite my efforts, I still struggle with stress daily. I am sure you can all relate to at least one stressful situation in your life, whether it is being anxious about passing your final exam with flying colors (or at least not failing miserably) or having so many projects in your student planner that merely glancing at it makes your head explode (hopefully not literally). For some of us who also deal with social anxiety, stress plagues us constantly. The littlest and somewhat unnecessary things in our lives stress us out even in the slightest, eventually adding to the boiling pot which will suddenly overflow most likely an uncontrollable mental breakdown. Yeah, not pretty, but we can’t help it. No matter how stressed out you feel during school, work, or social interactions, take the time to review my suggestions below to see what you can try to control your bundle of nerves.
- Breathe Before You Blow Up!
Ever experienced that feeling where you are completely overwhelmed and the stress is making you anxious, inside and out, causing you to hyperventilate and suddenly feel claustrophobic even in a wide-open room? Take a moment and breathe! They don’t just say “stop and smell the roses” for nothing! Life is chaotic, especially when you are trying to balance hobbies with school, work, alone time, activities with friends and family, and significant other—oh, and sleeping and eating fit in there somewhere too. Yikes! I’m almost out of breath already and all I did was just type! Whenever you feel the weight of the world trying to squish you like a bug, remember to take a break from your task and just breathe slowly. Close your eyes imagine you’re in your happy place and focus on inhaling and exhaling. Let this be a moment to clear your head the best you can and remind yourself that you can only handle one thing at a time. Every morning in high school I would calm my breathing and give myself a mini pep talk: “Just get through the day, one thing at a time.” Trust me, believing in yourself does wonders and is honestly what you need to do before you can succeed in anything in life. By meditating, you can achieve a mentally clearer mind and reach a point of relaxation to collect yourself before progressing through the day.
- Let Music Transport You Somewhere Else
Disappear from the world for a while, and get lost in the music of whatever genre you choose. Plug in those headphones/earbuds and turn up the music. Forget reality exists through the duration of a song…or an entire album, whatever amount of time you need to recuperate. Try unwinding those racing thoughts by listening to gentle piano instrumentals, lo-fi beats, or soft jazz. There are also plenty of relaxing audio sounds on the phone like rain falling in the forest or oceans crashing onto sandy shores, which are great to fall asleep to if you are having trouble catching your zzz’s! Music is wonderful for processing emotions, improving our moods, and regulating anxiety. Tunes can have a powerful effect on your mental health and return you to your normal self!
- Write to Clear Your Mind
Organizing your thoughts and expressing your feelings in a journal or diary, either virtually or on paper, can unclog your brain so you can avoid an excruciating headache. Seeing everything laid out in front of you can also help you make big decisions and save you from forgetting important deadlines. Maybe this is just me, but I always feel a sense of satisfaction when I check chores off a to-do list. It makes me feel good to review all that I accomplished in a day. Nothing beats the rewarding feeling of striking through a task that’s finally off your plate. Ahh, what a relief!
- Reach Out to Chat it Out
You can only keep your stresses to yourself for so long until you burst, so before that happens, try talking out your feelings with someone you trust. Whether it is a friend, family member, or even your furry friend, express yourself and get whatever is bothering you off of your chest. The support of a loved one can make you feel less alone when the pressure of the world’s expectations begins to overwhelm you. Also, never be ashamed to consider confiding in a therapist. Whoever makes you feel comfortable to talk to, don’t be afraid to reach out to them. If sharing your problems is too much, simply hearing the soothing purrs of a kitty and seeing a pup’s sweet little face looking back at you can remind you to appreciate the good in life during times when everything seems terrible.
Finally, make time to take care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally with relaxing hobbies that you enjoy and, most importantly, catch up on rest! Color a picture or watch the latest TikTok video to lighten your mood. If you’re into gaming, watching YouTubers like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye has always put a smile on my face. If time management is an issue, try setting a timer to remind yourself to take a break or move on to the next subject. Grades are important. I get it. I’m a perfectionist who is sometimes too obsessed with the effort I put into my assignments, but we need to remember health should always be a number one priority. Something I have come to realize over the last 3 years as an undergrad is if your body and brain aren’t able to function, how do you expect to get any work done? No matter how hard we try, we are incapable of achieving everything we want during a single semester so try to be kind to yourself and pay attention to your body’s needs. It’s easier said than done, but it just takes time, and eventually, you’ll feel more in control. Now I just have to continue to follow my advice, which is sometimes the hardest thing a person can do. I wish you all luck during midterms!