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Top 5 Tips to Relax as Finals Season Returns

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Elon chapter.

Spring semester is ending, welcoming summer and all of it’s glory as everyone scrambles to find their internships, part-time jobs, or perfect vacation spot. But, finals week stands as our only obstacle before we can enjoy home-cooked meals and free laundry.

 

While the end of the year can be stressful, there’s no reason to struggle helplessly. Below are five tips to de-stress as the semester ends.

 

  1. Start Early

While this may sound like the most typical, annoying tip ever, it’s really so true. Leaving a paper until the day before it’s due may seem tempting, but by working on it a little every day for a week, or even a few days, can help deter any potential all-nighters.

 

2. Take a break

While taking a break from school work and the internship search might seem counterproductive, it can really help in the long run. Taking a 10-15 minute break every hour or so will stop you from procrastinating on Facebook for 3 hours while trying to start your work.

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3. Exercise

Working out is a healthy and productive way to take a break from work. It also improves brain power, as it releases serotonin and dopamine, along with increasing brain cell growth. Cardio is the most effective form of exercise to strengthen brain power.

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4. Sleep

Without sounding too much like a mom, a good night’s sleep can help a person feel less stressed. Being well-rested also allows the brain to function better, as it can also improve blood flow.

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5. Breath

When feeling stressed, breathing slowly and deeply helps the body relax because it makes it feel like how the body feels when it is relaxed. Deep breathing also increases oxygen intake, which is vital to brain function and relaxation.

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So just remember, even when you have three tests, 5 papers, and a presentation….

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A simple sophomore pretending to still be a freshman.