It is that time of the semester: midterms, projects, more exams, and homework is adding up. It is becoming harder and harder to concentrate and focus on what we have to do for school. After a long day studying and/or at work, we only want to get home and do nothing. The problem is when this time spent doing nothing goes by for hours and hours, and we never finish what we need to. After procrastinating, we realize how much we have to do and then everything just gets worse.
What if I tell you that there are things you can do to stay present, in the moment, and concentrate on what you have to do? Well, in order to do that, you need to save a few minutes to yourself, and understand that we are all humans that need a break sometimes.
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When talking to a friend and sharing how hard it was to not freak out and finish my homework at the end of the day, she told me about coping skills and how they work for numerous things we might be feeling, such as having negative thoughts, or feeling sad and blue.
Coping skills work differently for every person and also can be shaped in different ways:
- Planning future tattoos
- Turning on the TV
- Playing some music
- Lighting up a candle up
- Going for a walk (even if it is just to the kitchen)
- Playing an instrument
- Exercising (mainly if this is the last thing you want to do)
- Painting something
- Planning your dream room
- Going out for some coffee
- Planning a future event (birthday party, for example)
- Calling someone you love
- Meditating
There are many ways to bring yourself back to the present moment and to calm your mind.
Photo courtesy of Flickr
For me personally, designing flyers online, watching Netflix, exercising, and showering are things that help me be present in the moment and rest my mind so I can keep going with my studies. Sometimes when I cannot concentrate at home, I try to go to public places where they offer coffee, and make myself a list of things I have to get done before I go back home.
Trying different things will help you know what works better for you. We are all different and all work in different ways. Even during hard times, we can still concentrate and get things done.
Photo courtesy of Flickr