Everywhere I look, people are frantically cramming for midterms or typing up 1,000 word papers. Though it’s finally Friday, which signifies the start of Homecoming weekend, the shadow of future midterms still lingers, threatening to ruin everything at the drop of a blue book.
I get extremely stressed, practically all of the time. It’s one of my worst qualities. But in order to survive college, I’ve had to learn how to cope with stress and let things go. So if your shoulders are currently up to your ears, or if the bags under your eyes are rivaling the size of your evening clutch, take a peek at my top tips for relieving stress.
1) Exercise– Try not to hate me for saying this, but exercise truly does help. It’s even more beneficial if you can do it with a friend. I had an absolutely awful week not too long ago, but after running the Color Me Rad 5K with my friend Lauren, I felt SO much better. Endorphins are real, guys! So sign up for a class at Barry’s or just take a walk outside- you’ll return home with a clearer head and a less guilty conscience about stress eating the night before.
2) Step away from the Monster– Seriously, no amount of energy drinks or even coffee will help you when you’re running on three hours of sleep. But if you really need an energy drink, think about investing in some Neuro Sonic. These carbonated, delicious drinks are supposed to increase alertness and sustain energy, so you don’t have to worry about a caffeine crash. Plus, they taste light and refreshing, unlike cofffee. So drinking Neuro Sonic is a win-win! Just please, step away from the Monster. That stuff is gross.
3) Eat well– Stress eating is not good. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t stress eat, so try focusing more on eating healthy instead of limiting your intake. Start every morning with a healthy, light breakfast (I love LUNA bars or green smoothies), so when you eat a huge bowl of Sweet Cece’s later, you won’t be breaking the calorie bank too horribly. Also, try to stock your kitchen with healthy food, so when you reach for study snacks, you automatically find something good for you. I personally love Earth Balance popcorn- it’s vegan (shout out to all my lactose intolerant homies) but it tastes fantastic!!!!
4) Take a one-hour break to socialize– I cannot stress this enough (hehe, I’m so punny). Socializing with your favorite people can boost your mood and relieve stress in just 15 minutes. The key here is socializing not venting, because you don’t want your hour-long hangout to turn into a pity party. Ask your friends about their days and try to focus on the positive stuff. And if you have a friend who you know is a Negative Nancy, don’t hang out with her when you’re stressed! This will only make things worse.
5) Indulge in a massage– Sometimes, a girl just needs a massage. And if your boyfriend/guy friend is not training to be a masseuse, consider investing in a trip to the spa like a grown-up. You will leave feeling incredibly refreshed and ready to conquer your mountain of work. I love getting massages right after the bulk of my stress is over, so when I come back and need to focus again, I don’t have to deal with anything too daunting.