Is it just me or is everyone like super stressed lately? I know that I definitely have been, which is the inspiration behind this blog post. There are plenty of ways to deal with the stress that is often faced as a student or as a human in general. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

1. Sleep

When I'm overwhelmed with a hundred things to do, I usually feel better if I take a little nap. I mean I could wake up either feeling refreshed or worse than before, but at least I'm forgetting the pain of being stressed for a little while.

2. Ice Cream

I know that eating your problems away probably isn't the best solution, but ice cream just makes everything better. Don't kid yourself, we all have that one food we turn to when the world is falling apart.

3. Staring at my Google Calendar

I breathe time management. And for most people looking at their Calendar or list of things to do can stress them out, but for me it is literally the one thing that ensures me that I have my life somewhat together. If you don't have one, make one. It will change your life.

4. Hiding in a practice room

As a music major, the practice room is often a hiding place. It always puts me in a better place to sit at a piano and play my blues away for a while. And the only people that can hear you are the ones who randomly open up the door to see if the room is available. #thestruggleisreal

5. Riding my skateboard

There have been many occasions when the only thing that calms me down is going for a ride on my skateboard. It not only relaxes me, but also makes me feel accomplished to know I can actually kind-of-sort-of ride one without breaking my neck.

6. Shopping

I mean I usually feel guilty for spending money, but I'll admit emptying my wallet is a stress reliever for me. Even just going to the mall just to look around and buy anything makes me forget that I'm actually drowning in a sea of deadlines.

7. Getting a haircut

Okay, nobody ever understands how much I love getting my haircut. It's such a therapeutic process. And I always feel so fresh and confident afterwards. It gives me the motivation I need to climb the mountains of the week I've been dreading to climb.

8. Talk to someone

As introverted as I can be sometimes, when I'm feeling stressed I need to surround myself with funny and loving people that I can talk my problems out with.

So, there are some ways that I tend to deal with stress. What are your coping mechanisms? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading this post! Be sure to check back next week for more content.

Until next time, do good things and be nice to people.

-Nick