Perhaps studying for exams and writing papers has brought you to an overwhelming state of tension. You feel like life has given you too many problems and not enough time to solve them. You are plagued with a calendar of endless deadlines. Stress can be brought on by pressure of responsibilities, sudden negative changes and trauma. It is important to relieve stress in the short term because continuous stress can lead to long-term consequences; stress plays a role in several types of chronic health problems, especially cardiovascular disease and psychological disorders. Here’s how you can lessen feelings of stress:
1.     Breathe in, breathe out
Awareness of your breathing attunes you to your body and your control over it. To consciously breathe at an optimal level, breathe through your nose and use your diaphragm. If you inhale and exhale slowly and rhythmically you are supplying your body with more energy-rich oxygen.
2.     Fight fret with food
Don’t eat away your feelings. Comfort foods will actually make you feel worse. Instead munch on foods known for their calming effects. Put these foods on your grocery list: asparagus, oranges, walnuts, berries, cashews, chocolate, garlic, oatmeal, oysters and avocados.
3.     Catch some Z’s
Beauty rest: It allows for both a beautiful body and a beautiful mind. Sleep gives your brain time to process many thoughts. Sleep lets your body and mind rejuvenate. It is recommended that adults get six to eight hours of sleep per night.
4.     Find perspective
Buddha once said “What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.” You can minimize stress by realizing the context of your situation. Sometimes it is the way you think about a situation that gives it power over you. Take power over stress.
5.     Soothing songs
Music has a unique connection with our emotions. It serves as both a distraction and an escape. Slow songs, such as classical music, slow down the heart and lower blood pressure. Listening to music can have a relaxing effect.
6.     Unplug and log out
Vibrations and notifications keep you religiously checking your phone. Your constant need to be connected disconnects you from reality. Sometimes you need quiet time to take in the day’s events. Let silence soothe you.
7.     Sweat it out
Get moving. It may not be realistic to hit the gym everyday, so aim to exercise at least four days a week. Doing a variety of exercises will give your body balance. You do not want to overwork the same muscles of your body, so remember to mix it up.
8.     Caffeine cut-down
Lose your jitters by limiting caffeine intake. Better substitutes to coffee are green tea and chamomile tea. Green tea, although it has caffeine, has an amino acid called theanine. Theanine enhances mental performance. Chamomile calms your nerves and promotes sleep, which is why it is the perfect bedtime drink.
9.     Take a walk
I’m not just referring to the Passion Pit song. Like your current situation, you just have to take it one step at a time. Sometimes when you’re moving forward it doesn’t matter when you get there, just that you’re on your way.