LET'S RELAX: 10 WAYS I DEAL WITH STRESS & PRODUCTIVELY STUDY

Dear readers,

I'm stressed. I'm scrambling, cramming, feeling my head with facts I know I'll forget in a week. I'm manufacturing anxiety over things that shouldn't be anxiety-inducing. Days are filled with flashcards, review packets, and the constant worry of not succeeding. This is all because of one little word, filled with a more significant, much deeper connotation: exams.

I know that I shouldn't stress, but for our generation, stress seems inevitable. Even if we want to procrastinate and relax, something tells us we should be concerned. The way we perform in school is often how we dictate how our lives will turn out (i.e., college, career, destiny).

However, there are some ways to deal with stress. And after successfully surviving the first of two exam weeks, I'm here to supply you with tips for getting through the second.

In lieu of staying up 'til 3 a.m. packing your craniums with irrelevant knowledge, let me guide you to a stress-free week. My expertise has to come in handy somehow, now doesn't it?

Anti-Stress & Study Tips:

1. Productive Distractions:

This might be a weird way to start, as I am basically telling you to procrastinate. But you shouldn't be mindlessly procrastinating. Instead, try to be productive in other areas. I've found it very beneficial to get my mind off of whatever I'm stressing over, even if it's only for a short period. I like to read or maybe go to the gym, allowing myself to separate from the work that's worrying me while still doing something good for my body and soul. You could simply write in a journal or do chores around the house. I would refrain from watching tv or taking a power nap; I typically find these activities unfavorable to my study strategies. Here's what I'm reading currently.

Study Ambiance:

One thing that will make or break my stress level is where I study. Personally, I am not a public studier. I don't think it makes me very productive nor engaged in what I'm supposed to be working on (but that's just me). Most nights, I like to work in lamp-lighting as it is more comforting and less harsh. I prefer a quiet space except for some music in the background (see #7). In all honesty, do what works for you, whether in public, behind closed doors, loud, quiet, whatever. Make sure the area is conducive to what makes you feel less stressed.

3. Olly Goodbye Stress:

These are stress gummies that I have recently started using. According to the brand Olly, they help you "keep calm, stay alert, and avoid mental and physical tension." Now, I'm not entirely sure if these things actually work, but the idea alone soothes me. Anyways, you can find these at any pharmacy and grocery store. I recommend them thoroughly if you're looking for something to get you in the right mindset for hunkering down and studying hard.

4. Snack Breaks:

Now, this is food for thought, literally. Even if you are on a grind and don't want to stop, it is imperative that you give your mind and body the energy it needs. Now, I wouldn't head immediately for the junk food drawer. Make sure to have a reasonably healthy snack that will nourish your body. I like a nice carrots-and-hummus nibble myself, but yogurt and fruit are also classic (don't forget granola). As for beverages, don't sleep on water. Hydrating is always essential, no matter how old that message gets.

5. Compartmentalize:

I find this step practically a necessity. When doing work, I often get momentarily burnt out, causing me to lose focus and not do my best work. To compensate for this, I like to break up my work into sections, tackling one subject at a time. This is great if you are preparing for multiple tests that occur on the same day. Take an hour to go over material for one subject, take a break, and then study the other subject. I do this often as it allows my brain to sit with particular material while doing other work.

6. MOVE AROUND:

Although you created the perfect study nook in tip #2, do NOT, by all means, stay in that space. Move around, pace about anything, Separate yourself from your work, not just mentally but physically. Set some boundaries, metaphorically and literally. If you live in a multi-story house, walk up and down the stairs a few times, anything helps. Don't trap yourself somewhere that only reminds you of studying and homework.

7. Study Jams:

This is the most crucial tip, step, whatever you wanna call it. If I don't have the right music playing, I simply can not give studying my all. Now, that sounds dramatic, but it's true. I recently made a new study playlist on Spotify, entitled "study buddy," which I will link at the very end. My go-to, though, is anything by Jack Johnson. I've found that his music is the best study music as it's comforting, sweet, and altogether soothing. My personal favorites of his are "Taylor," "Do You Remember," "Banana Pancakes," and "Flake." My all-time favorite song of his, though, is "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing." His music paints a picture of where I wish I was instead of studying: barefoot, on a beach, without care. But, in all sincerity, listen to the music that puts you in a good mood and the right mindset.

8. Self-Care:

It's hard to balance getting good grades, being involved, and keeping up with your own hobbies, let alone taking care of yourself. Most times, the idea of bathing or caring for my skin doesn't even cross my mind. Last week I decided to finish studying early and to use my time taking a bath and reading. I did teeth whitening strips and treated my skin. It was relaxing yet beneficial to my health. For most people, washing their face or brushing their hair can feel like a chore. But don't shy away from caring for yourself. This is more advantageous than any studying could ever be in the long run.

9. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep:

Going off of the whole self-care thing, please sleep. It's important. Yeah, I'm looking at you, you insomniacs. I can't lie; I'm not always the model student when it comes to sleep. It's tempting to want to stay up late and cram, but it's really not worth it. You'll be a lot better off if you just put the books down, plug your computer in, and snooze. I know most doctors say you need at least 8 hours, but you can push that generously. Just don't be afraid to get some shut-eye.

10. Socialization: take time to socialize

My last and final tip is to not forget about your friends. All of your friends probably feel the same way you do; stressed, tired, overwhelmed. People will tell you not to let friends and social activity get in the way of school and being successful. But did anyone ever think that we all want the same thing? This thing, this means to acquire a good fate, takes a toll on us as a generation. So, why not look to one another, for advice, for reassurance, for a shoulder to cry on? We all need each other, and we must take time to unwind and socialize with one another. Cutting yourself off from your friends to study may seem practical at first, but it can feel majorly isolating. We all need playdates once in a while, especially when we're stressed.

Thanks so much for reading and I sincerely hope this helps!

Here's the link to my new study playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0KCgkQsYVAu0NjHUGcApbq?si=d8012fde6fcd4000