Ways to Destress!
written by Rachel W.
Picture this: you have 10 tabs open on your computer, a full agenda, and seemingly not enough motivation to get to the end of the day. School and other commitments pile on top of each other and you find yourself overwhelmed by it all. How can you get rid of this awful feeling bubbling up inside? Here are some quick and easy ways to destress so you can get back to feeling great again!
- The simplest thing you can do to relax is to meditate. No, you don’t have to know any yoga poses (I’ll discuss that later); all you have to do is focus on your breath. A very useful tactic is to breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and breathe out for four seconds. This helps slow your heart rate and reduce any anxiety you’re feeling. There are also countless other breathing exercises out there that are just one Internet search away, so find one that works for you and practice it whenever you get stressed!
- Something that always helps me destress is to take a walk/go to the gym. Exercise improves brain function by allowing more oxygen to reach the brain, and it releases endorphins that improve your mood. It can be very therapeutic to “sweat all your worries out”!
Another strategy for relieving stress is doing yoga! Going to a class is great, but if you can’t make it, you can do it yourself at home! Here is a nice routine that only requires you to have a space for moving and something to sit on. - One major cause of stress for younger people is cell phones, so learning when to put them away is super important! It is an extremely hard habit to break, but if you restrict the amount of time you spend on your phone, it becomes one less thing to worry about. In your free time, go for it, but when it is homework time, turn it off and put it somewhere that it won’t distract you.
Laughter is truly the best medicine – or at least, when it comes to stress. It may seem a little odd, but if you are stressed, try watching a funny video online! According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter is proven to decrease stress hormones and stimulate your organs. It’s important not to let yourself get distracted – see the point above – but done correctly, you have a quick fix for your stress!