Top ten tips for stress relief
Or for when you’re hitting breaking point
BY SOPHIE MOLLETT
Stress is something that we’ve all experienced- it comes part and parcel with the student life. We’ve gathered ten of the finest de-stressing tips money can’t buy, check them out below.
DANCE! Have a dance party in your room! Listen to your favourite song and completely jam it out. Listening to music has a positive effect on the brain and body and lowers blood pressure and cortisol (a hormone related to stress). Guaranteed you will feel less stressed after having an epic dance party.
Talk to a friend. Having strong relationships is vital to good mental health. Sometimes talking about whatever problem you are experiencing makes things seem a little easier and you can begin to make an efficient plan to tackle it.
Exercise. Exercising allows the body to produce endorphins (chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers). Exercise is proven to improve physical condition, reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration and enhance overall cognitive function. So, go for a walk, play some netball or have a swim at the beach.
Meditate. Put on some calming music and close your eyes. Ocean or nature sounds work well or a soothing playlist on Spotify. Focus on slowing your breathing and clearing your mind for about twenty minutes.
Put DOWN the coffee! Caffeine is a stimulant and is proven to make anxiety worse. Limit your coffee intake and replace it with water instead!
Sleep. Lack of sleep is directly related to stress. Make sure you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep. Turn the TV and your phone off earlier, dim the lights and give yourself time to relax before you go to sleep.
Eat healthy. Your diet is super important, particularly when you are feeling stressed! Avoid the sugary snacks and go for fruits, vegetables and fish with high levels of omega 3 fatty acids.
Write it down. Writing down what you are stressed about can make the problem seem less huge. Another way to reduce stress is writing down what you are grateful for spending a few minutes focusing on the good things in life.
Laugh. Watch a bit of John Oliver on Youtube and get your laugh on. The act of laughing brings more oxygen into your body, stimulates and relieves your stress response and relieves tension by relaxing your muscles.
Avoid Procrastination. Procrastination can leave you scrambling to catch up which definitely increases stress levels! Make a to-do list organized by priority, give yourself realistic deadlines and work your way down the list.