We all know that school can be a stressful place. Even if it is the first few weeks of classes, anxiety and panic can be prevalent visitors in our daily lives. That being said, it’s probably a good idea to find some things to help you manage the stress, even if it hasn’t really even started yet. Here are some of the things I find to help me out when I start feeling the pressure of a deadline.
1. Breathing Exercises
Breathe! It’s one of the most basic human instincts yet somehow when we’re stressed we seem to forget to do it. When I’m feeling the pressure starting to be too much I like to try breathing exercises like the 4, 5, 7, method. You inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 5, and exhale for 7. While it might not seem like much, it gets you to stop and breathe for a minute and will have a major impact.
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2. Chillin’ With Your Pals
Another thing I find useful in relieving stress is just getting together with some friends and chillin’. When I’m around others I don’t focus on the things that are stressing me out tand I find myself having a good time.
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3. Cuttin’ Out the Caffeine
This by far is the hardest practice to apply. I mean no caffeine? In college? That’s blasphemy or treason or something right? While it is really hard to do it can actually reduce the feeling of anxiety a lot. No more overactive caffeine jitters = clearer thinking and a normal heart rate.
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4. Scheduling Out Your Time
Looking at all the things you have to do in a week lumped together in a single pile can send your anxiety through the roof! But if you take the time to put those things in an actual schedule and set aside time for them it can help you see that it’s not quite as bad as it seems. Use your calendar or planner to set aside time for homework and relaxation.
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5. Reading Or Writing
Yeah I know it’s college and you do plenty of reading and writing already but is it ever for pleasure? Reading and writing out of necessity is totally different from doing it because you want to do it. Maybe you like writing short stories or flipping through magazines, either can be a great way to unwind.
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6. Exercising
Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not one of those people who actually goes to the gym or anything (but you can, if you’re feeling adventurous). But, simple things like going for a walk or doing some stretches can be a welcome break from the stresses of college life.
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7. Treat Yo’ Self!
Treat yo self! Now, I’m not to saying you need to go out and blow a hole in your bank account or anything but, treating yourself to some ice cream or getting your nails done can be something to get your mind off of your deadlines.
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Now get out there and make some major boss moves! And remember, you gotta take care of you, how ya gonna get that bread if you can’t get outta bed, colligettes?
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