It’s safe to say that stress would be an understatement for how college students have been feeling recently. I personally feel like I have had to make so many adjustments and have had so many things being thrown at me, and I am more than overwhelmed. Over the years I have found a few simple ways for dealing with stress that work best for me. I figured that during this time, it may be helpful to share these and remind readers the little things you can do that will hopefully make your situation a little better.
Meditating: I used to get so frustrated trying to mediate because I could never seem to get my mind to relax for longer than a minute. The thing with mediation is, like most activities, it requires a lot of practice. For beginners, it’s recommended to start practicing anywhere from 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase over time. Once you are disciplined enough to meditate for 15, 30 or even 45 minutes a day, the benefits can be so rewarding. Experts claim that meditating is not only a great way to reduce stress, but also to promote emotional health, control anxiety, increase attention span and much more.
Taking a walk: I personally love exercising and find it my best go-to stress relief. However when it’s a nice sunny day I don’t mind skipping the gym and taking a long walk instead, especially when I have a lot on my plate. I’ll use that time to think about how I’m going to accomplish my tasks for the day or to relax and appreciate my surroundings. I’ve read that walking for just 20 minutes a day a few times a week is a great way to boost your mood, improve your memory and even enhance your creative thinking. So even if you do not consider yourself an “active” person, walking is a great form of exercise that will benefit both your physical and mental health.
Set aside some time for a hobby: Just recently I was feeling so overwhelmed with all of my school work and I really needed a break. The weather was so beautiful out that I decided to pack some snacks, my earbuds and my sketchbook in a bag and hopped on the Broad Street Line bound for Center City. I spent the rest of my day sitting on a bench in the middle of Rittenhouse Square, listening to Tom Petty radio and drawing the scenery. Even though I would not call myself an artist by any means, it was so refreshing being able to focus my mind on something other than homework. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when you find yourself juggling a million things to do, but remember that it is OKAY to give yourself a break. Just set aside some you-time to relax and do something that you enjoy.
This blog post was written by Angela Largo, General Body Member.
Comments