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.
