However, my friends, there is hope for all of us. So what’s the secret? The only secret here, which isn’t really a secret at all, is managing your stress and still taking time to relax, even if it’s just for 10 minutes out of a day. Without further ado, here are my best methods for unpacking stress from my brain, so I can keep calm and carry on:
Keep your body happy
Basically, fill up on food that you know is good for you, and stay hydrated with water. You’ll have more energy, you’ll feel good and have less headaches and stomachaches.
Of course, it is more than fine to treat yourself to something extra delicious every so often, as long as you’re not eating the whole tub of Rocky Road to calm your nerves.
Also, make sure you get moving. Exercise really does help put you in a better mood, on top of helping keep you in shape. It can feel so satisfying to go for a run when you’re stressed out, even if it’s just two quick laps around the track.
So if that major group project that’s due next week and worth 65 percent of your grade has got you shaking in your boots, switch them for running shoes, grab a friend and hit the Rec for an hour or so. If running isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options. Even a brisk walk counts as exercise.
DO NOT procrastinate
It is extremely important to avoid procrastination, not only to stay on top of your grades and workload, but also for managing stress.
If you need extra motivation, no matter how corny it sounds, put your Nikes in your field of vision while working, so you’ll be reminded to ‘just do it’ every time you start to feel like you might have fifteen extra minutes to finish your homework that’s due at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning if you wake up early and do it before class.
Don’t overdo it
Although I just stressed on procrastination, it’s also important to remember to never overdo it, no matter how much work you have to get done. So take a reasonable and set amount of time and take a break. Do something you love, whether it’s watching a bit of Netflix, playing a few rounds of Mario Kart, or reading a book. Focus your thoughts on more pleasant things during the time that you’ve allotted for yourself, and then after that time is up, get back to work.
Most importantly, remember what you’re here for– to get a higher education, prepare for a career, to become more open minded and to grow as a person. So stay in the fight until the last round. You’ve got this.