November is a very stressful time of the year for college students. Midterms just wrapped up and yet final exams and end of semester projects are right around the corner and approaching fast. This is why it is important to establish a routine for how to unwind after you finish classes, work and any other extracurriculars you may have.
Finding ways to relax after school is essential to set up a productive evening for finishing up any assignments, notes, studying or homework you may still have left to do. By establishing a routine, you will be able to separate your day from school to personal time and give yourself a bit of a break between school, work and coming home for the evening. Finding a way to relax prior to going into homework or studying gives yourself a mental break to have a moment for yourself in the mix of a busy schedule.
- Make Yourself A Cup of Tea
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Drinking hot tea has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, which is why it should be consumed on a regular basis. Peppermint tea is known to reduce stress and relieve anxiety and chamomile tea aids with not only stress and anxiety relief but also insomnia. Lemon balm tea elevates mood and reduces stress and Passionflower tea relieves stress and anxiety while helping induce peaceful sleep. Rose tea helps calm the mind and encourages calmness.
- Read A Book or Magazine
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I’m sure the last thing you want to do after you come home from school, work or club activities is to read some more especially if you already have to read textbooks for your classes. But, light, casual reading can prepare you to read your textbooks and it’s more fun and geared to your own interests. Even if you don’t like reading, treat yourself to a magazine every now and then and go through interesting articles and photos. It can take your mind off of the schoolwork to come and allows you to gain knowledge on something you may find more interesting and relatable.
- Take A Hot Bath
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Bathing is known to help improve breathing, muscle and joint pains and reduce the risk of heart attack. But it is also known to promote mindfulness and release pent up energies as well as stress. Soaking and allowing your mind to drift provides feelings of closeness from being submerged in warm liquid, giving the feeling of being in the womb. This allows the body to feel all sensations, which aids in comfort.
According to psychologist Neil Morris in Town & Country, “Baths give you…a wonderful combination of isolation, quiet, and comfort.” Warm baths aid in getting a good night’s sleep by promoting the production of melatonin.
Finding ways to relax after you get home for the day or the evening allows you to set up the rest of your night for success and can aid in productivity if you are able to lose some of the stress and tension you have been holding throughout the day. By eliminating some of this stress, you can go into your assignments, studying and homework with a clearer mind, allowing you to be better focused and more goal-oriented to your own success.