Deflate and De-stress

You know, when it comes right down to it, I think college has been about juggling. Juggling time, work, resources, food, exercise… virtually a big circus act. So much so that if you don’t stop to take a look at things, you won’t remember what you did in college or how much you enjoyed it. Later on in life, when you’re looking back on what you’ve done with your university years, the first thing to come to mind shouldn’t be the stress. But how do you find time to de-stress? Surely dropping everything to go shopping or dancing or hitting a few rounds would add to the whole stress problem later on. Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that can make the worst stress manageable.

Allow yourself an hour

Sometimes, all you really need is a breather. When you’ve been running around for hours or even just sitting in classes back to back, you get tired and need to refocus. You could do this anywhere you needed to, like on a couch at the University Center, in a corner of the library, or outside in front of Harvey Lake. Whether it’s before your classes, after them, or in between, you should give yourself an hour to sit down, rest up, meditate, refuel, whatever it is you need to do to get through your day.

Take a Nap

As you spend more and more time in college, you’re going to wonder why you ever refused to take naps in elementary schools. You will encounter people who would sell their souls for thirty extra minutes of sleep. That being said, catch some z’s when you can. It’s perfectly fine to doze off on a bench outside or in a corner of the Patriot Zone. Just make sure to set an alarm if you’re going to do so before or in between classes. If you need a little extra get-up-and-go after, try eating a granola bar or some kind of protein like peanuts. It’ll give you some natural energy if you want to avoid caffeine.

Socialize with someone

Conversation is a great way to de-stress. Having a chat with a friend, or even someone you don’t know, is a great way to relax your mind. Talk about your assignments or some of your professors over a cup of coffee. Discuss your plans for the weekend, a funny joke, or whatever. Sometimes, just talking to someone can do wonders for your overall mood and stress level.

Eat some good food

I’ve never met someone in a bad mood after a good meal. Even if the food isn’t five star, just eating with some friends or by yourself in a place that you really like. When you feed yourself, it’s like rebooting your mind. Now, eating when you’re stressed should not become a habit. It’s not so much the food as it is the experience of going out and taking in the atmosphere of where you’re going to eat. Personally, I think that’s why people stay at a restaurant and talk after they’ve eaten. Food isn’t the only reason people come out; it’s the camaraderie as well. So every weekend, or every other weekend, just grab some coffee at a place that sells amazing cupcakes. Have a plate of nachos at that great Mexican food restaurant. So long as you remember moderation, indulge in whatever takes the edge off.