Some people say that school can be stressful, but anyone who has been there or who are enrolled right now knows that school is guaranteed to be stressful. The longer you’re in it, the more responsibility you’re given.
This progression can be good since it’s important to be able to handle a lot of things at once and be trusted by others to get stuff done, but it can also overwhelm you. With deadlines approaching, it’s easy to push your mental wellbeing aside.
Don’t put your stress before your happiness any longer. Even if you have a million things due tomorrow, you won’t do a good job on what you need to get done if you can’t think straight.
Take your mind off of school with some of these easy tricks. You’ll feel clearer about what you need to do if you just give yourself a bit of a break.
1. Put your homework down
This is rule number one to let go of school stress. It’s easy to think the only way to have less stress is to get your work done, but pushing through assignment after assignment will only increase your anxiety.
Make the deliberate choice to put that book or essay down. It’ll still be there when you’re back from your break. Ten minutes away won’t hurt anything!
2. Drink some tea
Almost everyone has had that one friend who thinks drinking tea makes them quirky and somehow better than coffee drinkers, so they made you feel like you would never pick up a tea bag in your life. In reality, tea could be a big solution to your school stress.
Some great teas for stress and anxiety could help you in a matter of minutes. Boxes of tea bags aren’t that expensive and will last for a long time, so even if you’re on the tightest budget, you can still afford to try it out and see how much it helps.
3. Take a walk
Get yourself out of the environment that got you stressed in the first place. Whether it means leaving your dorm or taking a break from the library, change where you are to get your mind in a better place.
Try taking a quick walk outside. The fresh air will re-energize you, and it’ll also help you be more in the moment. Watch birds fly or clouds pass by.
Being in the moment will help you remember that there’s more to life than school, and it’s one of the proven ways to destress in a matter of minutes.
4. Start a new hobby
Hobbies are part of what makes life fun! You get to spend time doing what you love for no reason other than that you enjoy doing it.
See if you can start up a hobby that you can do on study breaks. Try doing things like painting or exercising. Something a little more off-beat could be good too, like learning how to take up stamp collecting.
Whatever sparks your interest, follow the lead! You might learn something new about yourself while you’re having fun.
5. Chew some gum
Another cheap way to get rid of stress is to buy a pack of gum. No matter what flavor you prefer or brand you buy, you’ll benefit from it. Gum has been proven to reduce anxiety and improve overall moods.
It’s also definitely something anyone on a budget can afford to try, so use the excuse to get a sugary treat into your day, and see if it works for you.
6. Dance for a minute
Stress seems to only get worse the more seriously you take your situation, so lighten up and turn on your favorite dance song. Let loose for a couple of minutes to get your blood pumping.
You’ll feel better without having to leave your room, and listening to your favorite song will make you happier. Do it with a friend for extra ridiculous giggles and stress relieving bonus points.
Destress for a better, healthier school experience.
People say that when you’re in school, you should be studying something you’re interested in.
Whether you’ve found a subject that makes your heart sing or you’re still just trying to get through basic education courses, you’re going to be dealing with high levels of stress sooner or later.
The never-ending deadlines and ever-increasing homework loads for each class may make you feel like you’ve been defeated, but don’t let yourself get too overwhelmed.
Easy ways to defeat your stress exist, like chewing gum or going for a walk. These activities won’t take up much time, so you can fit them in even if you’re doubling up on classes.
Ultimately, make sure that you remember why you're doing that work in the first place so that your goals are always front and center.
They’ll be worth any stress and stress-relieving attempts you have to make in the short term.