I recently missed a week of school. Work was piling up as I attended all of my classes and I still wasn’t feeling 100%. So, how did I manage the stress of missing class? Here’s how:
Be compassionate with yourself
School-related stress sucks but it’s not the worst thing in the world. The reason you care enough to be stressed is because your grades are obviously important to you. No matter what, you are going to get the job done. Especially if you missed classes because you were sick, it’s okay to rest too. Do work when you can but if you start to feel very lethargic, allow yourself a 20 min nap. Be compassionate with yourself and remember your body is still trying to get back to normal.
Call out if you can
If you financially can, I would suggest calling out of work, especially if it’s a work study. Your bosses should understand that your school work comes first. I found myself stressing out about all the school work that I wasn’t doing while I was at work, and it affected the way I was performing. Without going to work, you’ll have ample amount of time to make up assignments at your own pace.
20 min naps work!
I could go on and on about how helpful 20 minute naps are. Most people believe that 20 minutes would just make them groggy, but I find it’s really about how tired you are before you take the nap. If you didn’t really need to take a nap and you were just tired from being bored, you might find yourself groggy after the nap. However, if you have a headache or you are so exhausted that you can’t keep your eyes open, a 20 min nap will make you feel more alert and awake.
Watch what you are eating
When you just get back to school, it’s important to fuel your body with superfoods that boost your energy and immune system as you are making up assignments and fighting the aftermath of the flu or cold. Foods like beans, broccoli, salmon, kale, and acai are superfoods that are rich in nutrients. Stay away from polluting your body with fats and sugars. They will only make you feel more tired. This is the best way to stay awake without taking a nap.
Leave room to exercise
Exercising seems to solve a lot of problems, but it definitely is known for managing stress. Most students on this campus tell me that whenever they are having a stressful week the only cure is endorphins. With high endorphin levels, you feel less pain and stress. Endorphins work with opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of stress.
I hope these tips help you stay healthy and help you manage stress!