Midterms are in session! Here are a few tips from us on how to destress:
1. Eat!!!
When stressed, food is always what we gravitate to. However, eating the wrong things may increase stress so here are a few beneficial foods you should gravitate to more often:
Green leafy veggies: rich in folate, helps regulate mood.
Blueberries: increases levels of serotonin which reduces stress.
Dark chocolate: naturally boosts endorphins, making us happier.
A warm cup of milk: a soothing drink that helps decrease stress.
Salmon: omega-3 helps in reducing anxiety levels.
2. Sleep
Getting a good night of sleep can help reduce stress levels. When we don’t have enough sleep, we get tired, become less patient and easily agitated. Sleeping helps with healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels. The more sleep we get, the more awake and energized we are allowing us to be more productive and feel better about ourselves!
3. Clean your desk and room
Often when having a super messy desk, it’s hard to focus there is so much clutter surrounding our work. Decluttering will allow you to have a clean space. One less thing to stress about!
4. Jam out to songs
Hit up Spotify and make a throwback playlist that you can jam out to.
5. Take a hot bath, light candles
This allows you to forget about whatever you have going on for half an hour. Close your eyes, sit back and relax.
6. Go outside
Walking releases endorphins, which immediately helps relieve anxiety and pain. Go on a walk, take a breather. Enjoy nature and the weather for a little bit.
7. Write up a to-do list
This may seem like additional work but when you’re stressed and you don’t know where to start, calm down and write a to-do list. This way you won’t have the feeling of forgetting to do something because everything is right in front of you.
8. Talk to someone – call a friend, parent, significant other
Let it all out by talking to someone you confide in. You don’t even have to talk about school, talk about something that makes you happy, and that you feel good about.
9. Yell it out
Release your stress by yelling out at the top of your lungs! Don’t want to disturb others? Yell into your pillow! Although this is only temporary, yelling gives off a sense of relief. Anything is better than nothing.
10. Say no when overwhelmed!
Parties don’t stop during midterms, but if you really don’t think you can make it out that night, you can always say no! There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay in even if all your friends are going out. It’s good to have some time to yourself and get some work done.
Don’t let stress get in the way of your studying. Good luck on your midterms! You can do it!