March Madness!

written by Rachel W.

March Madness doesn’t just apply to basketball. This time of the year be a little crazy – it seems like with spring right around the corner responsibilities just keep coming. But, that doesn’t mean having a full plate needs to be stressful! Practicing stress management can help you effectively deal with everything you have going on to make sure March isn’t so mad.

The #1 mistake I make is procrastinating, especially as the school year draws on. This can lead to stress as I put things off and have to rush to finish them all. I do a few things to combat this, including:

• Turning my phone off when I’m doing homework so I’m not distracted.
• Listening to music when I study (or if you study better in quiet places, go to the library or another silent space).
• Reading motivational quotes! This helps me keep my goals in mind so I waste less time and start working on what I need to work on.

A great way to manage stress is to just talk about what is on your mind. I’ve noticed that my friends and I – who tend to get stressed out easily – feel so much better if we talk to each other about what we have going on. Whether you are just casually talking about practice after school that is worrying you or having a full-on rant session about an upcoming test, just having people around you to vent to can make it feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Another great stress-managing tool is having a planner! Whether you use one provided by your school or customize one online, having a planner can significantly reduce your stress. Just being able to write down everything you have going on can help you remember appointments and homework so you don’t have to juggle those dates around in your head. If you’re interested in more tips, check out this She is Fierce article all about setting up you planner!

Lastly, a method I use to combat stress is actually our theme for the month – count your blessings! Take time whenever you feel overwhelmed to realize just how much you have. Putting your responsibilities into perspective helps to understand why they stress you out and what you can do to make them less stressful.

Hopefully, using these stress management techniques you can curb stress during March and throughout the school year. Always remember to practice gratitude, and remember that you are capable of taking on responsibilities without too much stress!