College can be a stressful time. The stress we experience can come from things such as an accumulation of assignments that are due in a small amount of time or maybe something in your life didn’t go the way you wanted it to. Often, we let this stress become too much and it begins to affect our mood in a negative way. Below are some simple ways to mitigate the effects of stress and boost your overall mood:
Change your environment
Staying in an enclosed space when you are stressed is not ideal. It is important to change the scenery around you which in turn will change your mood. An easy way to do this is to simply go outside. Taking a hike or a walk is a great way to clear your mind and refocus.
Create an upbeat playlist and sing along!
There is nothing wrong with having a personal concert in your room. You should allow yourself to be silly and have fun. For your upbeat playlist, pick songs that make you feel positive and want to sing along. My personal upbeat playlist includes songs such as “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer and “I Make My Own Sunshine” By Alyssa Bonagura. Listening to music that makes you happy will always have an instant positive effect on your mood.
Relax
Devote time out of your day to unwind. It is not good to be constantly stressed. Treat yourself to your favorite drink or snack. Watch your favorite series on Netflix. Do the things that you enjoy and focus on yourself for awhile.
Make time to spend with friends
Being stressed can sometimes make you not want to be around anyone but distancing yourself from others can only make the stress worse. Spending time with friends whether it is taking a break from homework to go get coffee or hosting a girl’s night at your apartment. Talking with your friends and spending time with them is a great way to boost your mood because you are around people that make you happy.