We all said that over break we were going to figure things out — really get our lives together. We were going to get organized, read the eight chapters we’re behind on in Biology, start exercising and overall be the best people we could be. Right?
But did this actually happen?
Exactly. It’s now weeks after the break, our pile of homework is taller than our lofted beds, we don’t even remember what the word sleep means or what our friends look like and we have officially reached panic mode.
Lucky for us, there are more than a few ways that we can relax and kick that nasty habit we have of stressing out. All. The dang. Time.
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1. Take a Walk
I know, this age-old advice seems a little outdated, but hey – if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right? When you feel stressed out or overwhelmed, simply get up and get out. Find a nice trail or path to take a stroll down and just breathe. Plus, while taking a walk through a green space, your brain automatically enters a meditative state. What more can you ask for?
2. Exercise
Performing some sort of physical activity, whether it be running, yoga or even just stretching, will be beneficial to you in many ways. It can improve your cognitive function, your sleeping patterns and help maintain your physical health. So the next time you feel like throwing your computer out of your seventh story dorm window, grab a friend or your trusty yoga mat and hit the gym!
They just don’t.
3. Music/Dancing
Along the lines of exercise, turning on your favorite tunes and just dancing it out is a great way to relieve stress! If you’re feeling social and want to invite your roommates to join so they aren’t just watching you in envy, do it. The more, the merrier!
4. Organize Your Thoughts
This is my personal favorite way to de-stress. There’s just something so calming to me about using my favorite pen to schedule my day and make a game plan. To some of you, writing all of your stressors out for you to see may seem like it could add more stress to your life, but think about how good it feels to finally check those to-do items off of your list! Or scratch out. Or annihilate completely.
5. Craft
Now I know you think I’m crazy, and yes, crafting can get a little messy sometimes, but humor me for a minute. Think back to when you were a little kid in school. What do you remember doing almost every single day in class? Crafting. And do you ever remember feeling stressed out when you were gluing three fuzzy eyeballs onto a purple dog? No. More than that solid piece of evidence (not like you even need anything more scientific, amirite?), recent studies have shown that crafting can actually lower blood pressure, heart rate and perspiration. So go out, buy some glitter, glue, a pretty stencil, and make it rain. (For a list of fall crafts to de-stress with, click here!)