It’s a stressful time of year, I know. Between final projects, essays, and exams, it can be difficult to keep your head above the water. And yet, that is all we can do! So, I’ve compiled a list of five ways to cope with stress during this busy season. I invite you to attempt at least one of them in the coming weeks.
- Take a Walk
Sometimes, after sitting at your laptop for hours on end, all you need is a short walk. Get up and stretch your legs! You may be tempted to simply leave your study spot and walk around the library or your apartment for a few minutes, only to then return to your spot and get on with your work. But I invite you to leave your computer for thirty (or even twenty) minutes and walk around your neighbourhood. If the weather outside is cold, as it usually is at this time of year, you could even just go out for a couple minutes. I find that a short walk is the best way to clear my head—especially when I’m trying to work through an idea or problem—and get some exercise!
- Meet Friends
This may seem like an obvious strategy, but I think that many people—myself included—tend to isolate themselves when they’re stressed. This is definitely not healthy! This year, I’ve made a concerted effort to get together with friends at a coffee shop or for dinner (or at the library!). And after these get-togethers I always come away feeling invigorated and, well, less stressed!
- Do Something Festive
If you celebrate Christmas, it can be difficult to channel the holiday spirit when you’re stuck working on essays or studying for exams. So, I encourage you to step away from your work for a couple hours and venture out into the city to do something fun and festive.
There are so many holiday-themed activities in and around Toronto. For instance, Nathan Phillips Square recently opened their ice rink for the winter season. With sparkling lights and a giant Christmas tree, this is the perfect holiday attraction!
Another popular holiday destination is Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village, otherwise known as the Christmas market located in the Distillery District. With seasonal food and drinks (hello, hot chocolate!), local shops, and many photo-ops, this market is the best way to spend a wintry afternoon or early evening.
- Move Your Body
So, I’ve already suggested that you could take a walk, but what about another form of exercise? So many exercise opportunities await you at UofT, from barre, Pilates, and yoga, to Spin, cardio dance, and HIIT. I regularly attend barre and Pilates classes at the Goldring Centre. While it can be challenging to carve out the time to attend these classes, every time I do, I feel stronger—both physically and mentally. In order for your mind to remain healthy and active, it’s important to also take care of your body!
- Get Off Your Phone
When I’m overwhelmed with school work, I will often resort to my phone for an easy distraction, like a kind of numbing ritual. As you may expect, this never goes over well. I come away feeling somehow more stressed, fatigued, and generally unsatisfied. But I suspect I’m not the only one who feels this way.
In an attempt to discourage excessive phone usage—or, for that matter, any kind of screen time—I’ve decided to enforce strict time limits for myself. For instance, by 8pm, my phone and laptop need to be as far away from my bed as possible. I will then spend the next hour or two reading my book. Of course, when you have an impending deadline, it can be difficult to adhere to such strict screen time limits. But I would encourage you to implement some kind of restriction. If it’s not adjusting your nighttime routine, then maybe you decide not to scroll on Instagram or TikTok during your study breaks. Instead, you could return to my first suggestion: take a walk!