10 Ways to De-stress During Finals Week

Caffeine, caffeine, and more caffeine, will be the staple beverage for college students in these few weeks leading up to finals. With finals week just around the corner, trying to juggle commitment to extracurricular activities, maintaining a part-time job, and still being able to devote as much time as needed to studying can become challenging and eventually stressful. Sometimes, college students forget to just take a break and relax, which ends up making things more overwhelming. Here are 10 tips to help you de-stress as a college student during finals week.

1) Exercise

Not only is exercise a great way to keep fit, but it also helps reduce stress hormones. A walk around the block or an intense cardio routine could help your body release endorphins, which makes you happier.

2) Treat yourself

Sometimes it can be difficult to justify those random treats you give yourself, but taking the time to reward yourself is very crucial. Setting up a reward system helps you stay motivated to accomplish the task at hand. You can participate in a fun activity, or buy yourself a little treat, and you’ll realize how much better you feel.

3) Hang out with friends

True friends will be there for you when you need a listening ear or someone to boost your mood. Laughter is very therapeutic as it decreases your stress levels and releases hormones like endorphins, which boosts happiness. So, call up your friends and forget about your worries. One of the best ways to de-stress!

4) Learn to say NO

Sometimes you accept too many invites and responsibilities, leaving you feeling suffocated with all the commitments you have made. It’s important to know when to draw the line and take a step back from accepting every opportunity offered to you. Know your limits and at the end, you won’t feel overwhelmed.

5) Do something spontaneous

Rather than going through your day doing the regular, take some time out to switch up your routine. Do something completely unexpected. Go on an impromptu trip to the mall, or do that thing you’ve been dying to do but never had the time or the courage to try. A bit of spontaneity is always good.

6) Keep a journal/blog

Keeping a journal or a blog forces you to recharge and make sometime to reflect. Putting down your thoughts in a journal can help you direct your emotions towards your writing, and could reduce the emotional stress you might be going through.

climat-cocotier.

7) Take a walk

Taking a walk and getting some fresh air is a great way to de-stress. Walking briskly or jogging can calm you down, as sparking the nerves in the brain helps relax the senses. Going for a walk clears your head, and makes it easier to get back into the grind of things.

8) Organize

Organizing your living space can help reduce clutter, and keep you focused and less stressed. When your room is a mess, you feel like your life is kind of a mess too. It’s important to take some time off to put everything in its position. It’s amazing how you feel when you come home from a long day to a clutter free room.

ruinedchildhood.com

9) Meditate

Yoga might not be your thing, but making conscious efforts to be aware of your breathing can go a long way. When you’re stressed, tension is stored in your body, which could make you feel uneasy. Meditation can help you quiet your mind, and relieve you of any stressors.

10) Sleep

There’s nothing like a good night’s rest. Skipping sleep is not helpful as you might feel moody, and perform poorly. Lack of sleep limits your ability to learn, listen and concentrate. Having to battle with sleep can be very exhausting especially when you have a lot of responsibility on your hands. Therefore, make sleep a priority. A warm bath before bed can put you in a restful state of mind.