Finals week is stressful. College is stressful. Life is stressful. STRESS IS STRESSFUL. Here are some tips to calm down in these trying times!
LAUGH. Seriously. Do anything you have to do to smile. Listen to stand up, scroll through memes, or look in the mirror. Do whatever you have to do to smile and boost your endorphins, otherwise known as “feel good” hormones to combat whatever plagues you!
CUT CAFFEINE. I know, I know. We all love a good Starbucks fix, but I do not make the rules. Caffeine is a stimulant that carries us through the day; however, in combination with the body’s natural stress hormones, the mind can become overwhelmed and loses the ability to concentrate on tasks. Opt for a smoothie, tea or pressed juice for a solid boost.
WORK OUT. Thankfully, one does not have to be athletic to relieve their stress in this way. Exercise also releases endorphins! So take a quick run, get involved in an intramural sport or just go out and buy a cute pilates outfit. (Shopping counts as exercise, right?)
DO SOMETHING. Get a hobby and stimulate yourself creatively. Knit, bake, rollerblade, learn the clarinet or make Kenny G fan art if you feel like it! All will provide a lovely escape from reality and some may guide you into the wonderful world of jazz.
TALK. Bottling up emotions is unhealthy and can cause physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches. There is also research that concludes there is a relationship between vocalizing issues and making sense out of them. Friends and family members are there for you and want to help!
WINE. A little rosé makes all the pain go away.
*If stress has been at the forefront of your life for more than three months and is interrupting daily activities, you may want to speak to a professional.