Jordan Smith
The Paw Print
As we all know, the school year is coming to an end and we have a lot on our plates. This time in the semester is one of the most common times for us as students to become extremely stressed. With all of our projects due, registering for classes, also figuring out which step to take next for those of you who are graduating. We have a lot to think about and time seems to be running out. Unfortunately with all the stress we experience, we rarely give ourselves time to relax and recharge. Mental health is such an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. If we find ourselves too stressed we tend to over think, which sometimes leads to a mental breakdown. To avoid these breakdowns we need to find mechanisms which help us release some tension, and set our minds back on track so we can get back to business. With last week being Mental Health Awareness Week, here are some tips to take when you feel like your world is crashing down because of the overwhelming stress the end of the semester brings.
Sleep More: No, I do not mean take naps more often during the day. Sometimes we tend to take naps to avoid the work we know we need to get done, and then stress about it at 11:30 at night because we put it off until the last minute. To relieve yourself of some major stress, get homework done early throughout the day. Find time between classes to work on a paragraph of an essay coming up. It will add up and you won’t find yourself chugging red bull at midnight trying to stay awake to finish a paper. Getting homework done during the day gives you the chance to get to bed early and get a decent night’s sleep. With more sufficient sleep at night, your body and mind will have more energy during the day to accomplish more.
Exercise: Working out is one of the main ways students like to let off steam. A gym is not the only place to get some exercise though, go for a walk at the park or on a nice hike up to Zapata falls. Exercising results in the release of endorphins, a chemical in the brain that can reduce stress levels and also make you feel a bit more happy and energetic. If a project is completely stressing you out, take a nice walk around the park or go run a couple miles, which ever you prefer. Bottom line, get away from the books for a bit and clear your head. Exercising is highly recommended to release some stress and get back on track.
Dress for Success: I know it’s hard sometimes, especially with those early classes, but dressing nice every once in a while will do wonders for you. When you dress up you naturally feel a certain sense of confidence in yourself, and it may also make you want to do more with your day. If you are dressed nicely, why not show the world how amazing you’re looking and feeling today. Feeling confident may act as that little bit of motivation you needed to finish up the last page of your essay, or even go talk to that professor for a class you’ve been struggling in.
Mental health is extremely important in living a healthy lifestyle. A healthy mind leads to a healthy and successful life. Healthy minds can sometimes be hard to find after being buried underneath all the stress and overwhelming nonsense the end of the year brings. Stop stressing and start living a happy, mentally healthy life.
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