If you’re stressing about your four exams in two days or your ten-page paper due tomorrow, try these five ways to relieve some of that stress.
1. Hit the gym
Catherine Stitely, a junior government and politics and criminal justice major, says her doctor recommended exercise to her as a way to relieve stress.
Medically, exercise alleviates stress because it produces endorphins, which combat feelings of pain and stress in the brain and are associated with feelings of elation.
While this may be true, Stitely has her own reasons for exercising.
“It helps me because it takes my mind off of things,” Stitely says. “It makes me feel like I fulfilled a goal so it gives me energy to carry on and feel positive for the rest of the day.”
Stitely suggests keeping a running log so you can set concrete goals for yourself. That way, you can feel accomplished when you reach those goals, despite other aspects of your life stressing you out.
Stitely says she notices a difference in her stress levels and productivity even if she goes to the gym for just one hour out of her day.
- Power Down
Turn off your Internet and cell phone. In today’s world, we are constantly being bombarded with texts, tweets, notifications and emails.
Even if you just take one hour a day when you turn off all electronics, you will be able to relax your mind. The world isn’t going to end if you turn off your phone.
Turning off electronics when you are out to dinner, or with family, is a great way to forget about things you have to get done and just enjoy your time.
Psychology Today reports that in the last 40 years, Americans are sleeping about 90 minutes less per night, according to Eve van Cauter of the University of Chicago. Electronics are playing a major role in this sleep loss, which can affect mood and overall health.
3. Eat Healthy
According to Harvard Magazine, eating junk food can trigger stress hormones.
And not just junk food, but caffeine and alcohol can also contribute to stress.
“Healthy foods like whole grains and protein can improve your mood and give you long-lasting energy to tackle everything that comes your way during the day,” Fox News reports. “Foods that are especially effective for stress-busting include blueberries, salmon and almonds, according to scientists.”
4. Get a Massage
Katy McNally, a government and politics major who graduated in December, says she wished she took greater advantage of the Health Center’s massage service while she was still here, calling it a “hidden gem.”
She went to the Health Center for a massage during her last semester of final exams.
“I carry pretty much all my stress in my shoulders and upper back,” McNally says. “The woman was very thorough in working all the tension out and the environment was very serene and relaxing as well. My body afterwards was way less tense, which allowed me to focus on my studying rather than trying to get comfortable.”
McNally says scheduling the appointment online is very simple. The 50 minute massage costs $50, and can even be charged to your student account.
5. Make To-Do Lists
Although at first, writing down everything you have to do can be terrifying and extremely overwhelming, it helps keep yourself organized. If you can visualize when you should be somewhere, or when you should be working on a particular homework assignment, your brain will focus on that assignment instead of stressing about the other million things you have to get done.
And crossing something off your list feels like lifting a ten-pound weight off your shoulders. Now imagine doing that ten times!