It’s that time of the semester again: midterms. It seems like no matter how proactive you are, the essays and exams creep up and overwhelm you. It’s easy to let ourselves sit in a constant state of stress, but that is neither healthy nor conducive to efficient studying. So, here are some of my tips for de-stressing during midterms season.
Workout
If you’re anything like me, your gut reaction to this suggestion is no way. You’re already strapped for time, how can you waste precious minutes working out? Working out serves multiple purposes, though. Not only does it afford you a much-deserved break from your work, but studies have shown that routines as short as 10 minutes can lead to immediate cognitive benefits (great for even more studying!). Not to mention, all the other positive impacts exercise has for your body and mind. So, pull up a quick workout video on YouTube and get those endorphins flowing!
Meditate
Even for those of you who are not interested in finding your inner zen or yoga master, mediating can be an excellent way to clear your mind. Often times, as we bury ourselves in work, we overburden our brains with constant thoughts. There are great programs, such as the Calm app, which can help you practice mindfulness for as little or as long as you want. Meditating – even for only five minutes – can help you to regain your focus and clarity before delving back into your studies.
Timed Breaks
Studying for hours on end is not healthy for you. In fact, your productivity decreases as your ability to pay attention to the task at hand falters. There are many theories out there about the timing of a perfect work and break cycle, but generally 10 minutes is a good call. Most people avoid taking study breaks for fear of losing their motivation and getting derailed. Set a 10-minute timer on your phone and hold yourself accountable to it. Then, for those 10 minutes, go wild! Peruse Instagram or Twitter, read some stories on Her Campus, take a BuzzFeed quiz; do anything to take your mind off your work so that when that timer rings, you can go back to the grind, energized and ready to be productive.
Spa Night
When we devote ourselves to our studies, we often let other self-care practices fall to the wayside. Make an effort to set aside some time to pamper yourself. Spend some time moisturizing, do a face mask, maybe even paint your nails. Although it might seem a tad frivolous, taking some time to rejuvenate yourself will give you a renewed sense of energy to get back to studying in the morning.
Treat Yourself (to snacks!)
Although you don’t want to cave to stress eating, midterms warrant some non-dining hall eats. Get yourself a sandwich from ABP or Modern Market or a frappuccino loaded with caramel from Starbucks. Maybe even make your way to the candy wall in the Huddle for some sweet study treats. Reward yourself for the hard work you’re doing with guilty pleasure here and there.
Midterms are tough but you’re tougher! Although sometimes it might seem like your workload is never ending, Fall break and relief are just around the corner. Remember what you’re working toward and set your mind to getting there. Just don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way!
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