Stress from schoolwork and finals has occupied so much of our lives lately… but there is so much more to look forward to! For one, summer is coming in hot and fast! We are looking at warmer weather and no stress from classwork. Here are five quick pick-me-ups to get you to finish the semester strong, and to look forward to the beautiful incoming summer weather.
Get a Tan
You must remember that the warm weather is coming. Right now, the weather is a little on and off: moving from warmer temperatures and dropping back down to colder ones. Summer is the perfect time to get a tan: remember to lay outside and take those summer rays in. Even if your skin and the sun does not get along, wear a hat and sunscreen and enjoy the sun. You can sit under an umbrella and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the summer breeze.
Take It Outside
Spending time in the great outdoors is the perfect time to get a breath of fresh air. Go to the trails, walk on the beach, or take a stroll around your neighborhood. Any time spent outdoors will automatically make you feel better. Exercise is the best way to release stress from the past few semesters. When you spend time outdoors, you can self-reflect on personal experiences. It is an overall mood booster!
Read an Interesting Book
After taking classes that were very time consuming, you may not have had time for yourself. It is nice to take a screen break and sit down with an old-fashioned, paperback book. It is also nice to read a book that you were not assigned for class. This allows you to read about personal interests that you may not be able to read during class. Reading a book will also allow your imagination to run wild and think about anything else besides the work-filled semester we just completed.
Step Away from the Screen
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it changed the way students had to learn. We moved away from paperwork and moved onto technology platforms. Summer is the perfect time to disconnect from the online world. Since we have been online all year, Summer is the perfect time for us to rest our eyes. With constant dependence on technology and social media platforms, it is time to unplug. After about 90 to 120 minutes of screen time, you should take a break: this increases your productivity and happiness levels.
Hug It Out
There is something about warm embrace that makes you feel so much better. After the long 2020-2021 school year, it may be nice to release all of your emotions, fears, and stresses that came along with it. Touch releases oxytocin which is a feel-good hormone. This can reduce stress and improve moods. This feel-good hormone connects us to other people: it allows us to feel what other people feel. So if one person is in a better mood than another, a hug may spread positivity and happiness to the other person in a worse mood!