It is a part of the human journey to experience feeling overwhelmed or stressed plenty of times. There are many types of stressors that are present in one’s life, and stress can have much control over an individual if it is not handled properly. Just as there are many things to stress over, there are also many ways to control stress. Stressful situations are no stranger to me (especially as a college student), but luckily I have figured out ways to ease these situations through helpful tactics. Here are five ways that I handle stress which has proven to benefit my overall well-being.
PLANNING / ORGANIZATION
I always find it helpful to keep my major events noted in some sort of physical list. This can be a calendar, journal, excel sheet, or even a blank sheet of paper. I find this easier because as humans do, we tend to forget all of the mental notes we create especially when there’s an abundance of things to remember. My calendar holds my assignments, exams, social events, meetings, reminders, and more. Once I began to take this seriously, I noticed that it reminds me of everything that I have to get done which keeps me on track.
TAKE SMALL STEPS
When you have multiple tasks piled on top of you, you might not know where to start. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by thinking of all of the things that have to get done, break it all down and do small things at a time instead of trying to do them all at once. Figure out which tasks hold the most significance based on which deadlines come first and which ones require the most effort, then plan out the order in which you will be completing the tasks. This can apply to school work, chores, errands, etc. Eventually, you will end up seeing everything with clear vision and will get everything done one step at a time.
TAKE TIME FOR YOUR HOBBIES
mode. Sometimes your worries and stress come from past or future events, while other times the stress is due to things that are present in your everyday life. Regardless of where your stress sources from, remind yourself that it is crucial for you to make time for yourself. During the time you set aside for yourself, spend it doing the things that you love. This could be alone time, hanging out with friends, baking, writing, etc. The point of this is to prevent your worries and stresses from consuming you- this is when your mind will severely suffer.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
There are many effects that can come from stress, and your body will suffer if you do not pay attention to it. Stress can cause hair loss, breakouts, muscle tension, headaches, sleep problems, and more. Your body does so much for you every single day and is the main reason that you are able to enjoy all of what life has to offer. Even when you are undergoing a stressful situation, it is important that you remind yourself to cherish and nurture your own body. One of the main ways that I keep my body in check is by working out. This can be by walking, running, weight lifting, a bike ride, or yoga- whatever exercise fits you best. Even beyond physical movements, it is important to eat nutritious foods, take your vitamins, and drink your daily water. This will keep your body in check and prevent it from deteriorating severely when stress levels are high.
BE YOUR BIGGEST FAN
I am not suggesting ruling out your support system because they too play a huge part in staying afloat, but I am suggesting that you should always reassure and trust yourself. When you find yourself feeling incapable of overcoming your stresses, remember that you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to. Practice daily affirmations, and journaling, and find other ways to motivate yourself to keep on pushing through the hard times. It’s difficult to stay positive during an overwhelming situation, but your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Cheer yourself on and remind yourself that things will turn out right even though it seems that everything around you is going wrong. Be confident in your abilities, and trust that you will overcome anything that you are dealt with.