It’s now September and classes are in full swing, homework is starting to pile up, and we’re all spending more and more time in our rooms trying to get work done. With all the stress and excitement of the school year, we sometimes forget to take a step back, relax, and enjoy our fleeting time at IMSA. We can all benefit from winding down, so here are six tips to help you relax when you’re feeling stressed out:
- Watch an episode of your favorite TV show. Whether you get some friends together for a good laugh or just curl up with a blanket in your room with some earbuds, watching some TV is a great way to take your mind off the world around you and experience something new.
- Eat some food. Grabbing a snack is a great way to take a quick break from all the stress unfolding around you. It will give you the energy you need to get on with your day (or night), and who doesn’t love eating?
- Listen to music. Having a go-to playlist with a ton of relaxing songs is a great way to de-stress. Something as simple as some background music while you’re working contributes to the mood and can make all the difference.
- Exercise. While it may sound counterintuitive, exercising is amazing for relieving stress. It takes your mind off of everything you have to do and can even make you feel better than you did before. Many IMSA students struggle to be active, but making exercise a regular part of your routine has amazing long-term impacts on your mental health.
- Go outside. Exercising may not be your speed, but all you need to do is take a quick walk to distract yourself. Going outside or simply getting a change of environment makes life more interesting and allows you to face your problems with a different mindset. Get some fresh air and…
- Sleep. This is probably the IMSA student’s favorite activity. A simple power nap can do wonders for your concentration and help you feel refreshed. Just tell your roommate to be stubborn and drag you out of bed when naptime’s over, then turn out the lights and get some shut-eye. It really is that simple!
Just remember: treat yourself. Have some time to unwind and let go of your stress. Being under constant pressure can have long-term impacts on the way we live our lives, so sometimes it’s best to take a mental break and decompress from a long day of hard work.
Please keep in mind that these tips are simply some fun things you can do if you find yourself in a stressful situation. They won’t solve any long-term issues. If you feel that you are falling into a more serious pattern with your stress, you can reach out and ask for help from the people around you.
Taking a bath with essential oils also helps to relax and destress. Another great way is to spend 15 minutes playing with a dog or cuddling it.