College is not just a great place to earn your degree. It also offers a chance to network and expand social circles. It is your chance to try new things and take added risks. However, there is often much work to do, including assignments and extracurriculars. Students have to learn how to manage their time better while taking on added responsibilities and learning new skills.
Evidence shows that more than 30% of students report facing stress at some stage in their college lives. And it affects their academic performance negatively. Also, more than 80% of students report being overwhelmed with tons of assignments and classwork. If you have gone through such stress in the past, you know how straining university life can be. Fortunately, there are ways you can unwind after a stressful day in college. Here are some amazing tips.
Avoid Stressing About Being Stressed
Stress exists and is an unavoidable reaction to pressures and expectations. When in college, the expectations will increase, and so will the pressure to perform. Relationships will also take a toll on your mental health. There will be times when you will feel you are on edge and can barely hold yourself together. During such instances, don’t beat yourself up about it. Being stressed is normal, and you should just take things one day at a time. If you focus on your stress without taking any action to make changes, it makes things only worse.
Prioritize Your Sleep
You may have heard this countless times, but sleep is an important element of effective daily functioning and mental health. Being a college student means you will have tasking days and multiple projects to complete. Your sleep schedule may also be less than ideal.
However, you have to remember that sleep is important for you to refresh and get the energy you need to tackle the next day. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night will help you to refocus and rebalance. In some cases, if you feel fatigued, getting a quick nap can help. Also, create a schedule to always go to bed early. Instead of spending the night writing papers, consider help from an online personal statement editing company.
Get Enough Exercise
One of the biggest current problems college students face is obesity and overweight. Over the recent past, there has been a sharp increase in students struggling with weight issues, referred to as the ‘Freshman 15’ phenomenon. The implications of gaining weight are immense and can be bad for your physical and mental health.
Getting some minutes to exercise not only helps you to remain fit and active but has also been shown to boost endorphins. You also get improved blood flow. All these elements work together to help with stress relief. It does not matter whether you choose to ride a bike, walk around campus, and join a gym. Doing exercise will get rid of the tension in your muscles and keep you calm.
Have a Healthy Meal
Maintaining a healthy diet is important if you are to keep up with the hectic nature of college life. Just like your sleeping habits, healthy dieting behavior may be hard to maintain when at the university. The first challenge students face when it comes to food is financial. There may also be the issue of finding time to prepare meals. However, it is possible to have healthy meals, even on a budget as long as you balance the portions and get creative. Plan your meals ahead and prioritize fruits and vegetables. Fueling your body appropriately is a critical way to relax after a long day in college.
Find Some Quiet Time for Yourself
With so much happening around you, you may easily find yourself fatigued and stressed. Learn to take time away from the noise and chaos to relax and think. Even you share a room with someone, you still need some peace to relax. Relaxing space should be away from things like phones or any form of technology. You may even consider stepping out of the hectic university environment for a few minutes to relax.
Get Some Social Time and Have Fun
With urgent assignments and demanding extracurriculars, most students find that they have no time to socialize. However, there is more to being in college than just academics. You need to make friends and network, as it could be important for your future career progression. So, if you have been working on that complicated biology research paper for 2 days straight, you need to take a break. Your stress could be resulting from the fact that you are focusing too much on your academics.
Remember that your brain needs a break from time to time. Break the routine and hang out with friends. Remember, socializing is important for the complete college experience.
Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help
Okay, there is no denying that college life can be really stressful. While it may be hard to admit that you need help and seek assistance, you need to try. Those around you may not recognize the fact that you are going through a particularly hard time. Don’t shy away from sharing your problems if you feel overwhelmed. Also, there are on-campus therapy resources you can use.
Although college life can be overwhelming, the tips outlined here can help you relax. Try to manage your time effectively and create space for friends and adequate sleep. Meditation, exercise, and diet can all help. Most importantly, keep hydrated by drinking enough water. Also, make sure to get help if you feel overwhelmed.