Stressed Students

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

As a college student I know its normal to get “stressed out”. I find myself reflecting on what is causing me to stress out and what I can do to stop it. There are many things in your daily life that you won’t be able to control. I was late to work the other day by 20 minutes because there was a big accident. I sped over the limit for a while before I realized what I was doing. By just taking deep breathes and thinking more logically I remembered this is something that I have control over, not being late but being stressed about the situation. You could call this a form of meditation which is a great way to help stay relaxed and help cortisol spikes. 

Working out

A form or meditation that helps me relax is actually working out. I know that sounds backwards but it’s true. I would recommend any kind of physical activity that gets your body moving in some way. People that I see at the gym everyday will tell me that they look forward to going because it is the one time they get to chat with a friend or just be away from their work, home, school life. This is the case for a lot of people and that is great, not only are you able to socialize and get some encouragement but you are physically releasing stress and tension in the body. 

Walking outdoors 

I really do enjoy being outside. I find myself being inside 90% of the time and I feel like that is normal around the world. Naturally when the weather is too cold or too hot we just want to be inside comfortable. I have gotten to the point where I am only outside when I’m walking to and from my car. I got sick of it and started going for early morning walks. I started going everyday and after a few months I was in better shape than I had ever been. Not only was I getting my body moving in the morning but I gave myself time to just put everything else on pause. Being outside absorbing vitamins from the sun and being in the moment helps me plan my day and not just jump straight into it.

Stretching and meditating 

Our bodies get sore after we exert them in some way physical or mental. When we go for a run or we go to the gym, we exhaust our bodies and without replenishing ourselves there’s a good chance of burn out. Burn out can be from mental stressors like a big decision or too many things on your plate as well. I stretch every so often when I am sore or warming up before some kind of physical activity. I find forms of meditation are just as helpful. When I am stressed I can’t think rationally, I feel a pressure in my head that just won’t go away. I journal a lot to help me decompress after the day and get things off my chest that I didn’t want to complain to anyone. Reading is also really good meditation its calming and in the right setting would lighten my mood afterwards.