Don’t forget to prioritize your mental and physical health :)
With the weather changing and midterm exams approaching, the semester is certainly picking up. The pace is faster, the air is chillier, and the stress levels are higher. I have compiled a few of my favorite ways to care for yourself to calm your mind and allow yourself to take a breath.
- Exercise
-
Whether it be running, walking, yoga, or lifting, moving your body is beneficial for both your mental and physical health. Giving yourself the time of day to escape whatever anxiety or stress you are dealing with tends to break that cycle of thoughts. Not to mention, you will look and feel amazing. Exercising also produces endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that energize you and make you feel happy. It’s a natural and incredibly healthy way to lift your spirits. Working out also boosts mental and physical activity, which will help you stay focused while studying and acing midterms. No brainer.
“Try to notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of the wind on your skin. By adding this mindfulness element—really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise—you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries running through your head.”
HelpGuide
- Writing
-
Another tactic I use to de-stress is journaling. Although it seems daunting, the best way to nip your worries in the bud is by facing them head-on. Dumping out your thoughts and stresses, or just a recap of your day can relieve so much mental pressure. If you would prefer an approach that focuses on things that AREN’T stress-related, write about things that make you happy! Things such as happy lists, or listing out things and people in your life you are grateful for. This always grounds me and reminds me I am loved by so many and have countless things to be thankful for. It is also a refreshing way to look forward to future events and to avoid being consumed by midterms week or school in general. (Spoiler alert: there is so much good ahead).
- Spending Quality time with people you LOVE ♡
-
On that note, it is crucial to take a step back from the papers, tests, and study guides and spend time with other people. Human contact is so important, even if you want to lock yourself in your room to get an A. Close the computer and grab dinner with friends, go on a walk together, call friends or your parents! They definitely want to hear from you. If you feel yourself spiraling, take a breath and talk it out with someone you trust.
“Talking gives us an opportunity to ‘hear’ ourselves and ‘listen’ to ourselves. It gives us an opportunity to adjust our thoughts and feelings…talking teaches us that thoughts and feelings are usually less ominous when we say them out loud to others versus thinking about them privately.”
Psychology Today
- Listen to yourself
-
You know what you like. If you have had a long day, do not be afraid to treat yourself to your favorite ways to relax. In fact, use it as motivation while you work! For example, look forward to calling a friend or parent after you finish your homework, or a trip to the gym after class. You could also look forward to making yourself a cup of tea and lighting a candle in front of your favorite show at the end of the day. Whatever helps you keep your head up high and grind it out. Remember, there is so much good on the horizon! You’ve got this.
- MUSIC
-
This goes without saying but a go-to mood booster can be as easy as shutting the world out by putting in your earbuds and blasting whatever you need to hear. Keyword: NEED. Sometimes I feel like I should play poppy music to get me into a better headspace, but I find myself not resonating with the beat or songs. Play what feels right. Maybe it’s something slower, or even instrumentals while you study! (Or, my recent favs, Zach Bryan, Hozier, Hippo Campus, and the classic TSwift). Allow yourself to breathe through the lyrics and hear someone put feelings that you thought no one else felt into words.
“The best music is essentially something to provide you to face the world with.”
Bruce Springsteen