Here are some tips on how to manage your stress.
GET ORGANIZED
OrganizerMake a daily, weekly and/or monthly schedule. This will allow you to manage your time around projects, meetings and other activities. Be sure to schedule in time for yourself, do something that you enjoy that is not related to school or work!
STOP PROCRASTINATING
The longer you put off that project or deadline, the more stress it will cause when it's due. If you prepare ahead of time (schedule time on your calendar), you will avoid the unwanted stress. Plus getting it done ahead of time will provide you with free time to do as you please.
LEARN TO SAY NO
Sometimes others expect more from us than we can feasibly give. So don't be afraid to say no when your schedule is full. Let the person know that right now is a busy time, but you may be willing to help in the future. They will understand!
MAKE USE OF CLASS TIME
We love class!By going to class prepared and listening attentively, you will reduce your stress when it comes to test taking. Paying attention in class will allow you to retain the information and therefore you are already one step ahead in your studying!
TAKE A BREAK
If you are feeling overwhelmed, step back and analyze the situation. Go get some fresh air, take a short walk, grab a healthy snack, or visit the Cozy Melon Stress Room (see below). Watching television or talking on the phone on your break can be okay, but it's not the best idea. You may get sucked into a program or talk for too long and end up using more time than you had planned on. So be mindful of how you spend your break, because time is precious!
LEARN TO RELAX
Relaxation techniques can be very useful in lowering your stress and anxiety levels. Here are some examples: deep breathing, listening to soothing music, meditation, massage and visualization of positive experiences.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Exercise!Exercise will bring about positive physical and mental changes, which will help reduce stress. Eat your veggies!Eating fruits and vegetables are good vitamin sources for boosting the immune system. Avoid the use of "pick me ups" (sugar, caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol) as they will only provide a temporary fix to the problem.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Getting sufficient sleep each night will prepare you to take on the next day's tasks to the best of your ability. Feeling sleepy will only slow you down and put you further behind. Here are some sleeping tips to help you get the most out of your sleep time: go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time everyday, get regular exercise (just not right before bed), keep the bedroom quiet while sleeping, and keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR
A good laugh is always a great way to relieve any stress you are dealing with. You may need to step back and learn not to take yourself so seriously. Laughter can have healing qualities. So stop what you are doing, read or look at something funny, and get other people involved. Laughter is contagious, so share this de-stressing activity with others who appear to be under stress.
LIVE IN THE PRESENT
There is no point in dwelling on the past; you cannot change it. You can only learn from your mistakes and try to avoid making the same ones in the future. So focus your attention on the goals at hand, not on missed opportunities. It will help relieve some of the pressure.