With all the stress that the election brought on top of school and work, many of us are on the brink of watching our hair fall out. There is only so many hours in the day, and we’ve gotten to the point of the semester where we don’t even know what day it is. So don’t carry all that stress around until the end of the semester, Valley has some quick, easy tips on how to remain calm during those stressful days (let’s be real: weeks).
Free hugs
You know that feeling when you just want to hug someone when you are feeling low? Go for it. Don’t hesitate to hug someone when you are having a stressful day; it actually helps reduce stress. Hugging releases tension and sends calming messages to your brain.
Relax with music
Instead of thinking of everything you need to do during the day, zone out those thoughts for 15 minutes as you walk to class. Listen to your favorite Spotify playlist to boost your mood. It will help you relieve some stress from the day and help you relax before your next class. This helps tremendously if you have an exam in the next class because you won’t feel as anxious about it.
Make a list
If you are at home and are already thinking about what you need to do, start out by writing your tasks in your planner or a list. This tip helps a lot because it allows you to put everything that is going on in your head on a sheet of paper so you can visually see what I need to do. Plan what you need to do so you don’t have to worry about forgetting an important task later on.
Family time
Have you ever studied for too long and are starting to zone out? To get your brain back in motion and an excuse to see your dog or family, take a 10-minute FaceTime break. Catching up with family helps us forget what we were stressed about in the first place.
For those of you who are lucky enough to live with your dog here at State College, take a 10-minute cuddle break. Just a few minutes of talking to your mom or cozying up with your dog can cure just about anything.
Quick spa treatment
If you aren’t into FaceTiming or if it is too late to talk to your fam, another tip that can reduce stress is to give yourself a manicure. Focusing on one task for about 20 minutes will help declutter your brain and put you in the mindset to go back to the task at hand. While your mani is drying, you can review your notes without the distraction of Facebook or Instagram because you don’t want to ruin your nails while they are still wet, right?
Yes, stress is prevalent and unavoidable at this time of year, but please remember to live in the moment. The homework will be there after you finish a movie marathon with your roommate, FaceTime your dog, or even if you decide to update your Spotify playlist. All of us here at Valley want to make sure that you are always happy and healthy. Take one day at a time, follow these tips and you’ll get through the rest of the semester smoothly!
1 Comment