To be honest, college is difficult. How I survived four years of 7:30 AM class is a mystery because I can barely get out of bed for class at 11:00 AM now. And professors expect me to be awake and happy to be there? Nope, sorry, if it’s not Friday, I am not doing it.
All of this, plus the pressure of exams, and papers, and internships makes university life a very stressful four(ish) years. To help take the edge off, I have found a few ways to reduce stress that I use during midterms and finals (and sometimes just to get through the week)!
1. Meditation
This may sound like something a witch doctor would prescribe, but when I tried it for the first time I actually felt somewhat better. Not everyone believes in meditation as a legitimate way to distress, but it’s still my favorite part of yoga classes. Try this YouTube video when you have a spare ten minutes during a hectic week!
2. Spa Day
Yes, this is a luxury expense to be saved for when you’re on vacation and willing to drop a pretty penny on some much needed you time. But the few times I’ve been to spas have been absolutely glorious and well worth the money spent. The Qua Spa at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas is heavenly, as is the Spa Grande at the Grande Wailea in Maui. You don’t need a massage to take advantage of the services; a day pass to most spas is semi-affordable and gives you access to paradise.
3. Foam Rolling
I recently discovered foam rolling while at the gym, and it was life changing. As in I do this every time I go to the gym, life changing. Physical therapists use this technique to stretch out tight muscles and release some of the tension after a hard workout. I use it to stretch my back as a sort of DIY massage technique. Try it and you won’t be sorry. Those foam rollers are magical.
4. Netflix Marathon
There’s nothing like a good ol’ binge watching session (popcorn and soda included) to make you feel a little bit better about yourself. I’ve gone through pretty much every worthy TV show and movie on Netflix since starting my subscription three years ago, but my favorites include classics like How I Met Your Mother and Law & Order: SVU, and the more unorthodox such as Blackfish and West Side Story.
5. Shopping
I am generally against clichés, but this one is too true to not be on this list. There is honestly no problem that some one-on-one bonding with your plastic can’t fix. My personal guilty pleasure is buying dresses; I just can’t get enough. The collection in my closet at school alone rivals Carrie Bradshaw’s closet at any time. I have friends who revel in buying shoes, buying accessories, even Abercrombie sweatpants. Retail therapy is a real thing, and sometimes it’s just what you need to get you through a tough situation.
So, the next time you’re super stressed, just try one of these things! It’s healthier in the long run, and way more fun than pulling out your hair.