With everything going on all at once, college students often don’t have time to take a moment to cope with all the stress that comes from their schedule. Between classes, a social life, and the all-important factor of sleep, sometimes there aren’t physically enough hours in a day to finish everything that needs to be finished. So, I have compiled a list of ways we can all let go of our stress, all without having to pull out a yoga mat, find time for the gym, or go to a massage therapist.
1) Take a Walk
The great part about this is that it can be done on your way to class. Letting yourself have a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts is important, if not necessary. Besides, scientifically speaking, exercise gives you endorphins, which decreases your stress hormones and makes you happy.
2) Eat a Snack
I don’t mean the nervous, dangerous act of stress-eating. Sometimes you don’t realize how hungry you are, and hunger can actually trigger more stress responses in your brain. To help calm you down, eating a little bit might relieve some of the unnecessary stress your body is under without you even realizing it.
3) Get Off the Computer
In several studies on stress, uninterrupted computer usage can often increase your stress levels, as well as other factors such as depression and insomnia. Sadly, as a college student, getting off the computer might sound like the worst thing in the world. After all, we’re basically spending four years on a computer typing essays, checking our email, checking our Blackboard, or responding to one of the hundred Facebook groups we’re suddenly in. Try taking a break for a moment and just closing the screen.
4) Get on Netflix
I might have just said to get off the computer, but in most cases watching some mindless television is exactly what you need. Watch an episode of “Friends” between every assignment you complete. It’ll keep you motivated and sane.
5) Chew Gum
According to a study done in 2008, chewing gum makes you breathe better, can relieve anxiety, makes you alert, and helps to reduce stress when multitasking. Which is basically all the things we’re looking for, right?