We’ve hit that point in the semester when schedules are packed and everything seems so overwhelming it can be hard not to cry if you think about it too much. I know that I’ve been struggling with stress management lately, simply because I don’t have the time to relax. Most nights, I don’t even have time to get dinner until 9:00 p.m.
If your classes are ramping up for finals, your professors are assigning insane amounts of work, you have a test every other day and you’re realizing you’ve run yourself thin by joining way too many organizations and taking too many credits, I get you. I also get that you probably don’t feel like you have time for self care, at least not in the traditional way with a face mask, ice cream and a night to just sit in bed and watch “Bridgerton.” But luckily, I’ve compiled a little list of stress management activities that can help you relax in under ten minutes. Some of these techniques have been lifesavers for me and I hope they are for you too.
self-massage
In this video, Elaine Oyang will walk you through a six minute self-massage to help relieve stress and tension in your body. With just one YouTube search, you can find hundreds of videos instructing you about how best to massage your face, neck, shoulders and hands to relieve stress. Massaging my temples by making little circles with my fingers and doing the same to my jaw has always helped me when I can feel my jaw tensing up and a headache beginning.
listen to piano music while you work
This is the playlist that I like to listen to on Spotify, but there’s also thousands of great playlists on YouTube that would work equally well. You can even look up the specific vibe you’re going for: study jazz, rainy piano, coffee shop piano ambience, Mozart, classical piano by the ocean or anything you can think of. I’ve found that this really helps me to relax while I’m racing against the clock to turn in an assignment.
buy yourself a drink/meal that makes you happy
The instant gratification that comes when that iced chai lands in my hand is unbeatable and sometimes instant gratification is just what you need when you’re stressed. Now, if your favorite drink is highly caffeinated and you’re already stressed, definitely think about the consequences of that drink before you order it and turn into a shaky, anxious mess. Just do something that makes you happy and won’t take too much time away from your work. When I’m working in the library, sometimes that trip down to the Starbucks and the valiant return with my favorite drink is like hitting a refresh button. Sometimes you need to pull yourself away from your work, clear your head and come back in at least a slightly better mood.
take a deep breath
It seems obvious, yet it’s never my go-to. Sit up straight, raise your chin, close your eyes and breathe in slow through your mouth. Allow yourself a minute to just breathe, to exist and to let your shoulders drop. In and out.
eliminate extra stress
Sometimes working in your room while your roommate is talking or in the Hub when you can hear footsteps and laughter and people eating can just be too much all at once. Sometimes just having too many tabs open, looking at too many things at once or trying to multitask too hard can just completely overwhelm you. If you need to pack up your stuff and walk somewhere quieter, close some of those tabs or turn off notifications on your phone, you can and should. Eliminate any extra stress in whatever way you can.
watch an asmr video
Hey, I get it’s not for everybody, but it works for me. Gibi ASMR on YouTube is a queen at helping me relax, but be careful if you’re trying to stay awake and alert because if I get a little too comfy some of these videos just knock me out.
adjust your surroundings
I need an organized space to study or work in, otherwise the stress starts to build the longer I feel myself surrounded by clutter. Sometimes for me, adjusting my surroundings is just moving my stuff around to be more aesthetically pleasing. Sometimes it means that I need to leave my dorm and walk to the library for a more study-oriented space. Either way, if you need to take some time to adjust your surroundings, I promise it will feel worth it when you sit down in a relaxing space that you feel you can be productive in.
take a quick walk
This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to hit refresh and clear your head. If you feel stuck, stressed and overwhelmed, nothing will fix it like a walk around the building. Sometimes, stepping away is exactly what I need to find the inspiration to finish what was stressing me out. Even if it doesn’t help you find inspiration, walking gets your blood flowing, feels good and it will brighten your mood. No matter what, taking a few minutes to step away should help you destress.
look at cute animal pics/videos
Always a perfect way to spend ten minutes.
Good luck de-stressing! I hope you try some of these out and that they work for you. We’re almost to the end of the year!