Tips for Reducing Stress

College is a stressful time in your life. You have to learn how to balance full-time school with work and a social life. There isn’t always time for everything you want and need to do which causes some things to get overlooked and be put out of balance. This can be stressful. How do you keep your stress from overwhelming you during the busiest time of your life?

Develop a Routine.

Each semester will probably look a little different with your class schedule. Use the first week or two of the semester to develop a routine that works with your class and work schedule. If you have an hour in between classes, use that time to do homework on campus instead of going home. If that time is when you would normally have lunch, plan ahead and bring something with you. Try to make sure that your study times remain consistent week after week. (Your weeks will vary with how much work you have to do but in weeks that you have a little less work you can always work a little ahead or do a bit of review on some of the previous topics.) 

Avoid Procrastinating.

Don’t put things off to the last minute. When you find out about a big project, incorporate smaller pieces of it into your schedule now so that you aren’t behind later. For other assignments, don’t wait until an hour before class to get them done. Give yourself plenty of time for your assignments by doing them as early as possible.

Exercise.

Exercise releases endorphins that make you happy. Getting the right amount of exercise can help reduce your stress levels. If you think you don’t have enough time to do a full workout, you can always take a five-minute break from your studies to get up and walk or do jumping jacks. Exercise is also great for boosting your immune system. 

When you live at Vintage at Tabernacle, you can utilize our swimming pool and 24-hour fitness center to implement your own exercise routine. 

Write in a Journal.

Take some time to reflect in a journal about how things are going. Write about feelings and experiences you are having as you go through school and work. Use this time to reflect, think, and maybe even vent. 

Meditate.

Find a quiet and comfortable place to meditate and focus your mind. If you have never meditated before and are not sure where to start, try watching a video to get you started. Meditation can take anywhere from 1 minute to 1 hour. Just do what you have time for. 

Try Aroma Therapy.

Some scents can affect your mood and help you to destress. Try diffusing essential oil or smelling them when you feel stressed. Some scents that are especially good for relieving stress are lavender, bergamot, lemongrass, lemon, and orange. 

Think Happy Thoughts.

Keeping your thoughts positive will help reduce stress. Your thoughts affect your everyday life and can change the way you view yourself. Making sure that you are positive and happy can hold a lot of power in helping you succeed. 

Make Time for Fun.

Leave some time in your week for the things that you enjoy doing. Spending time with your friends and doing the things you love will provide a break from the stress. It also gives you something to look forward to in a small time frame. 

Reach Out for Help.

When you are getting too stressed out, you can always reach out to a friend, roommate, or family member for help. Having someone to talk to can be a game changer. They also may be able to provide support in other ways like making dinner for you when you have a crazy day or helping you to study for an exam. Just try to return the favor when the opportunity arises. 

Try using these tips to help reduce some of the stress in your life during this next semester.