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Four Simple Stress Breakers to Brighten Your Day

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at IU chapter.

 
Let’s face it, no one actually likes reviewing an entire semester’s worth of information for a two-hour exam or cranking out a ten-page thesis paper on a topic you’re only remotely interested in. 
 
But, this next week doesn’t have to be a whirlwind of gloom and despair.  Try these four simple (and cheep) tips to prevent stress overload and find yourself singing “Summer Girls” by LFO and driving home.
 
1.     Call your best friend
 
I know, she’s just as busy as you are.  But talking to a friend will get your mind off of your exams for a minute and focus on someone who makes you happy.   Set a time limit on the conversation to prevent a marathon chat session.  Tell her you have five minutes to hear highlights now.  Once you hand in that final blue book next week you’ll call to hear all the details her latest fling.  Hearing about her life will remind you there is life after finals’ week.
 
2.    Buy a bouquet of flowers
 

This time of year flowers are everywhere and cheep.  Kroger has full bouquets for five dollars or bundles of tulips three for ten dollars.   Get a bouquet in your favorite colors and place it in your room or where you study, (just don’t bring it to Wells with you).  Having beautiful, fresh flowers greeting you will make life better. Trust me, it works.
 
3.    Take a dance break
 
Crank that guilty-pleasure song and get your grove on.  Not only will the song make you happy, moving, even for three minutes, will get blood flowing and give you the energy to study for another hour.  Try an oldie like Dancing Queen by Abba or Respect by Aretha Franklin or something new by Ke$ha or Lady Gaga.  Whatever your vice is, grab a hairbrush microphone and let loose.
 
4.    Drink water
 
During this time of year caffeine is attached to your right hand.  But chugging Red Bull and venti lattes will leave your body dehydrated and eventually not feeling so great.  Your body will thank you if you keep hydrated.  Grab a water bottle and refill it throughout the day using those great filters in the Union and dining halls or keep your Britta full.  The last thing you need this week is to be dehydrated and have your body shut down.

Alyssa Goldman is a junior at Indiana University majoring in journalism and gender studies. Alyssa aspires to be an editor at a women’s magazine writing about women’s issues and feminism. Alyssa has served as city & state editor and special publications editor for the Indiana Daily Student, IU’s award-winning student newspaper. She has also interned at Chicago Parent magazine, the IU Office of University Communications and Today’s Chicago Woman magazine. Currently, she is interning at Bloom, a city magazine in Bloomington, Ind., and loves being a Campus Correspondent for HC! In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys watching The Bad Girls Club, The Jersey Shore and The Real Housewives (of any city); listening to Lady Gaga; drinking decaf skinny vanilla soy lattes from Starbucks; reading magazines; and shopping and eating with her girls on IU’s infamous Kirkwood Avenue.