The weather in Gambier (and everywhere else) has been quite finicky this winter—one day it’s sunny and 60°, the next it’s gray and -6°. Going outside is generally an activity that people tend to enjoy, but sometimes it’s just not worth it to get up and go outside when the weather is terrible. Luckily, there are a plethora of ways to de-stress, without even leaving your room:
1. Color!
Coloring is not just for children. Studies say that some crayons and a coloring book can help anyone decrease stress levels. I invested in a 64-pack of Crayolas last year, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made, as far as stress and coloring go.
2. Clean something! Clean everything!
I understand, many people do not love cleaning as much as I do. However, for those who can find even just the slightest amount of enjoyment in it, cleaning can be a huge stress reliever. It also feels great to walk into a clean room, whereas walking into an insanely messy one will likely increase stress (unless you love messes, in which case I do not understand you at all but good for you). Vacuuming, dusting, or putting a few things away don’t take long, and they’re all great ways to get your mind off of work for a few minutes!
3. Read for pleasure!
It might be hard to fathom reading for fun when you have 400 pages to read for your classes tomorrow, but a chapter or two of a page-turner can be a great way to keep your mind entertained and active, but still get it off of stress.
4. Have a cup of tea!
Need caffeine? Earl Gray! Need to calm nerves and get some sleep before a big exam tomorrow? Herbal tea! Want to feel…healthy? Go green! Making tea takes just a few minutes, so you can relax without feeling guilty, and it’s a pleasure to drink when you’re done!
5. Do laundry!
Laundry is one of those things that needs to be done eventually. Otherwise, you’ll be running around naked or in extremely dirty clothing. Why not make your de-stressor productive? Getting something like laundry done will make you feel productive and help you stress a little less—and the laundry room is a great place to run through flashcards! (Seriously, no one bothers you in there.)
6. Call somebody!
When I’m stressed, I usually call my mom. Or my dad. Or my sister. Or my grandma, or anyone who might answer. Talking on the phone with family or friends from home can help get you away from the stress of Kenyon and allows you to think of other things for a little while.
7. Do yoga!
I have already discussed in length why I think that yoga is good for you, but I think best of all are it’s de-stressing effects! Yoga and meditation help center you, which is challenging but extremely important when you’re stressed. You need to be calm and focused to get that 12-page paper done!
8. Catch up on news!
This might not be “stress-relieving” for everyone since current events can sometimes be depressing and stress-invoking, but I find that reading through The Skimm or The New York Times: Breaking News has similar effects to reading a good book, except it catches me up on the news. Adults catch up on the news, so that makes me an adult, right? This one makes you more of an adult (pretend that’s not stressful).
9. Have a dance party!
You know how exercising is supposed to really helpful when it comes to stress management? You can get those endorphins without hiking all the way to the KAC—just put on some Beyoncé and put your hands in the air like you just don’t care! Getting your heart pumping (and listening to Beyoncé) are great for de-stressing—and your health.
10. Watch some YouTube videos!
They’re funny and easy to find. It’s that simple.
3-2-1, de-stress!! Good luck <3
Image Credit: Today I Found Out, Stuff PointXebia Labs