I know we are all struggling right now. Whether it be stress over assignments in zoom university, frustration and uncertainty over politics, or anxiety over just getting through the day during a worldwide pandemic, we all need a reminder to check in with ourselves. Take a moment to stop and ask yourself the following: ‘How am I doing? What do I need in order to be my best self right now?’ Here are some of my favorite ways to de-stress and re-charge.
- Listen to relaxing music
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Whatever kind of music relaxes you, put on some headphones and turn up the volume. My go-to genres are R&B, lofi hip hop, and jazz. If you can’t think of what to put on, there are so many great playlists to choose from on YouTube, iMusic, Spotify, etc.
- Give yourself a spa day
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Lately, I’ve really been slacking on self-care. It’s great to take a day to catch up with that! Apply your favorite skincare, get in a nice warm bath or shower, do your nails, or whatever you see as self-care. I always feel better after a day of cleaning myself up.
- Write down your thoughts
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Sometimes you need an outlet to process your thoughts and feelings. Writing can be a super therapeutic way to vent and say whatever you want. This can come in the form of just journaling, or it can transform into poetry or art.
- Get outside
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Even though we feel stuck in our homes, that doesn’t mean you can’t go out to get some fresh air! Just a quick walk around the block will do, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, go for a hike. If you are around any people, don’t forget to mask up and keep a distance to help keep yourself and others safe.
- Catch up with friends and family
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As important as it is to focus on yourself right now, it’s also a good idea to check in with your friends and family to see how they’re doing too. Talking and reconnecting with loved ones can be really helpful in times of stress. It’s a great reminder that you are not alone in how you are feeling.
- Put down the phone
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Take some time to put down your phone and pick up a book, or just do a little digital detox to refresh your mind. Social media can get overwhelming really quickly if you don’t pace yourself. Also, just know that you can unfollow any accounts that don’t make you feel good. You get to choose what you see on your feed, and if you find yourself feeling horrible every time you scroll, maybe it’s time to curate a better and more positive feed for yourself.
- Tidy your space
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If you’re like me, the mess of your space tends to reflect the mess in your mind. If I’m feeling terrible, sometimes tidying up my space helps put me at ease. Cleaning up clutter is a good distraction while also being productive at the same time!
- Meditate
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There are so many great apps that can help guide you in meditations. I like to use YouTube, but I’ve also heard great things about Calm and Headspace. Meditation is the best way for me to reconnect with myself without all of the chaos around me.
- Do a puzzle
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Puzzling does an amazing job at focusing your mind and energy elsewhere. Whenever I just need to shut everything else out for a little while, I focus on a puzzle. If I’m being honest, I had never really been a big fan of puzzles because they used to always overwhelm me. If you are anything like me, I would suggest you start with easier puzzles and work your way up. Once you really get into it, you can start to enjoy it.
- Seek out therapy
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Therapy is cool! As a UWB student, you have access to free UWB counseling, and there are many other resources out there online like BetterHelp. If you’ve ever thought about looking for a therapist, I highly recommend going for it.
I hope these suggestions are helpful! Feel free to create your own list of ways to de-stress, and make sure to share them with your loved ones. Everyone is different, so take some time to figure out what works best for you. This year has been a complete plot twist so it’s totally normal to feel out of control. I promise we’ll get through this together and come out stronger!