With midterms finished and the final stretch of the semester creeping up on us, it’s very important to balance school, work and personal life in order to not experience burnout. To prevent this, here are some of my favorite ways that I manage my school stress!
One of the most important factors is to set daily habits. Make sure to constantly set boundaries, as well as long-term goals in order to alleviate anxiety, stress and mental exhaustion. This could mean getting seven hours of sleep, stepping away from the screen after an hour, eating healthy food that will benefit you and your mind and making sure to interact with other people every day.
What can be especially beneficial is exercise. Try going for a run, turning on some music or lifting some weights. Challenge yourself to focus on your form rather than the stress of schoolwork. Even as little as 15 minutes can be beneficial not only in the present moment, but in the long term. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you exercise, endorphins are pumped out, specifically the chemical beta-endorphin. Negative effects of stress can be reduced through this, while feelings of happiness may increase. Feelings of pain may also be reduced.
As noted by the Mayo Clinic, positive effects may include a lower resting heart rate, lower blood pressure, and improved immune and digestive systems. Overall, there are many benefits to exercise that can help manage or reduce stress.
Of course, working out isn’t for everyone, but you don’t have to do a hardcore workout or lift weights to get the same effect. Something as simple as taking a walk can also release those feel-good chemicals. Dancing is also a great way to have fun while also participating in physical activity. Meditation is a way to forget irritating moments throughout the day.
Besides this, journaling or any form of writing can help when schoolwork feels like an overload. There are so many different options for writing, so if one doesn’t work, you can try another. Creative writing, gratitude journaling, junk journaling, drawing, dream journaling, goal setting— the list could go on. All of these are great ways to focus on something positive and keep from gluing yourself to your computer for hours. Find an audiobook or some music to put on in the background while you journal. In general, block out the quietness of the room unless that’s what you enjoy.
Make sure to treat yourself well and always remember you’re doing your best! Mentally checking in with yourself on a regular basis is important. Sometimes we aren’t doing as well as we hope to be doing in school, and that’s perfectly fine. Some days will be easier than others; you just have to ride the wave of life.
Most importantly, don’t isolate yourself. It’s extremely important not to stay in the same room all day and to have social interactions to benefit your mental health. Of course, everyone gets busy during school, so we tend to get lost in schoolwork or forget to reach out to our friends for a while in order to get things done. It only takes a minute to text someone, so ask your friend if they can hang out. Even if it’s for a half hour, interacting with others and taking a mental break can help alleviate stress and prevent burnout.