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Finals Week Stress Relievers

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Leta Stevens
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Amanda Norell
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Purdue chapter.

It is Finals Week, and needless to say, every Boiler that is facing these exams is stressed to the max. At such a stressful time, it is important to stay focused, study with the utmost efficiency, and  avoid a mental breakdown. In order to keep all of you collegiettes™ from breaking down during study time, Her Campus Purdue has put together a few study break ideas and stress relievers. We know just how precious time is during Finals Week, so all of our stress relievers take less than an hour to do! With summer just around the corner, we need to have our “rise & grind” attitudes on, tackle this week, and get it over with. Take a peek at these great ideas and keep them in mind during your long study sessions.
 
1. Take a Walk or Go for a Run: Exercise is one of the ultimate ways to relieve stress. So whether you are a hardcore runner, an adamant walker, or neither, a nice walk or run in this beautiful spring weather is a great way to take a break from the books and get your fill of nature. After your walk or run you will feel energized, accomplished, and ready to tackle that next practice exam!
 
2. De-clutter Your Study Space: For some people, the clutter of books, notes, and binders on their desk or study space can create a feeling of chaos and distress. Take a short, ten-minute break to tidy up your workstation and organize your study material. With all of your belongings in a more organized space, it will be easier to focus more on your studies and less on finding those lecture notes.
 

3. Relax with a Facemask and Tea Bags: Yes, this is a totally clichĂ© move, but it works. Do you have a favorite exfoliating mask sitting in the bathroom cabinets? You’re a tea-aholic too? Put on that exfoliating mask, place two used tea bags on your eye lids, sit back, and relax! After the facemask hardens, take the tea bags off of your eyes and rinse your face with warm water. If you’re not a tea lover, you can always substitute the tea bags for the traditional cucumber slices. You are guaranteed to feel refreshed and rejuvenated after this calming break from the books.
 
4. Cook a Meal: Whether it is time for lunch or time for dinner, don’t go straight for microwaveable meals or call for take-out. Instead, opt for actually cooking a meal. This choice is oftentimes healthier and will give you a much needed, 30-minute distraction. A nice, healthy meal and a half-hour break in the kitchen are just what you collegiettes™ need! Now that your stomach is no longer crying out for food, you can tear into those textbooks!
 
5. Take a Hot Shower: Ok, so maybe you are a bath person, but either way it will make you feel so much better! The warmth of the water will calm you down, and the nice long shower (or bath!) will rinse away all of your worries. Stay in there long enough for your body to relax and your mind to clear. Let this stress reliever take all your worries down the drain.

6. Take a Nap: Everyone knows the magic of a power nap. A short, 45-minute nap can totally revive you from the sleepy, drowsy daze that studying has put you in. If your eyelids are heavy and you are dying for a short snooze, do not deny them that simple pleasure. Give in and take that nap! Depriving yourself of sleep during Finals Week will only make studying harder and you will be less capable of retaining that important information you’ve been cramming in for days.
 

7. Dance: That’s right, collegiettes™: just dance! Turn on your iTunes DJ, get up from your desk, and dance. It is a great way to shake off that stress and have a good laugh all at the same time. Even grab a few friends to join in on the fun. It might seem silly, but it will work; I promise! Shaking your moneymaker will do just the trick! And the best part? You can do it for as long as you’d like! Whether it’s just for one minute, or for five of your favorite songs, dancing is a great distraction.
 
8. Turn Off All Electronics: It might sound crazy, I know… but turning off all of your electronics (computers, cell phones, etc.) can be a really nice break from the world. You don’t have to keep them off for long, just long enough for you to take a deep breath and revel in the silence. Not having emails pop up on your laptop, or the constant rings of phone calls and texts can be a great escape. So take in the silence and just simply relax. While taking a break from the world, maybe just go and sit outside. Enjoy the weather and nature, without any distractions from the technology-dominant lifestyles we all live today.
 
These are just a few great ways to relax during terribly long study sessions. If none of these options appeal to you, just Google “stress relievers” and see what you come up with. We all can use a relaxing break during Finals Weeks. With that being said, all of us here at Her Campus Purdue hope that you all have a stress-free, breakdown-free Finals Week! Good luck on your exams, Boiler collegiettes™!

Sources
1. Face mask photo: http://www.getacnehomeremedies.info/search/punch-excision-surgery-for-facial-acne-scar-treatment
2. Glee photo: http://wwww.fanpop.com/spots/finn-and-rachel/images/9688318/title/finn-rachel-photo

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Leta is a senior at Purdue University studying Retail Management with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Leta is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and is obsessed with her sisters. An avid shopper and fashionista, Leta spends her time working as an Assistant Manager at Twenty Ten Boutique on Purdue's campus while managing their social media campaigns. Leta started writing for Her Campus Purdue in April of 2011. It was because of her extreme enthusiasm and passion for Her Campus that she was promoted to Purdue University's Campus Correspondent in January of 2012.
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Amanda Norell is a junior at Purdue University where she is working toward a communication degree, supplemented by an art and design minor. A true Midwesterner, Amanda was born in Chicago and raised in northern Indiana, just minutes from the Michigan border. In addition to being Purdue's Campus Correspondent, Amanda is also a junior board member on Liberal Arts Student Council, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, and has both edited and written for The Exponent, Purdue's independent daily student newspaper.  She has held internships in both event planning and career development, and has her sights set on becoming an event and wedding planner after graduation. She cannot get enough of campus in the fall, crepes from Greyhouse, Urban Outfitters, and simply lovin' life.