With school, work, extracurriculars and social commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in college. Especially with finals approaching, finding ways to de-stress is essential to every student’s mental health and will help you achieve your goals in a productive, positive manner. While these suggestions might not help everyone, it’s important to find what does work for you and find ways to implement it into your everyday routine. Keep reading to learn more about ways to de-stress that will leave you feeling relaxed and ready to take on anything you set your mind to!
1. Breathe
When we get stressed, we tend to breathe at a short, fast pace that can cause even more anxiety and stress. Focusing on your breathing technique is a great way to regulate and restore your body while also decreasing your stress levels. Try taking deep breaths and focusing your thoughts on one particular thing, as one does in meditation. Taking just 10 minutes a day to focus your breathing can help improve your stress levels throughout the entire day.
2. Exercise
Elle Woods had it right in Legally Blonde when she said “exercise-induced endorphins make you happy!” Research has shown that working out pumps up those positive neurotransmitters called endorphins. But you have to put in the work to feel better! Exercising for at least 45 minutes to an hour can leave you feeling healthier and less stressed. Working out also improves your mood and helps you forget about those everyday irritants.
3. Listen to Music
Listening to music is one of the easiest things you can do to decrease your stress levels. Listening to music between classes, at home or while you’re working on homework can help relax your mind and help you get in touch with your emotions. Music has been known to slow heart and pulse rates, lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormone levels. Next time you’re feeling stressed, try listening to soothing, slow music.
4. Unplug
Taking time to unplug can be more beneficial to your health than you might realize. Stepping away from your computer and phone can help you decrease stress, get more sleep and reduce feelings associated with depression. Staring at electronics can also put unwanted stress on your eyes. Plus, shutting off your phone will make you less distracted so you can get things done faster and more efficiently. Shutting off electronics is especially important before you go to sleep at night, so try and unplug every night for at least an hour before you go to bed!