We know you’re always hearing about ways to beat stress, but we want to help you feel less overwhelmed, fast! This time of year is sometimes difficult to manage, and because the Student Life Centre knows how busy Brescia students are, we want to find ways to make you feel less stressed almost instantly, so that you can make sure you are studying for your tests, doing your course readings, making it to class, and eating and sleeping properly. Check out some of our quick and easy tips to make you feel instantly more revived!
- Take an epsom salt bath: The salt in the water can make you feel more light weight to get your tense muscles to relax!
- Get the sun on your face: Go outside for ten minutes and get some vitamin D in- this vitamin is linked to serotonin levels which can boost your mood.
- Dance break!: Take your current favourite song and dance with your roommates for 3 or 4 minutes. Getting your body moving will make you feel great, and it usually ends in a good laugh!
- Try aromatherapy: Lavender has been shown to decrease stress levels, so grab a diffuser or rub some oil on your neck and temples.
- Smile: Often going through the motions can help you feel the happy emotions that you may be missing in your stressful life!
- Treat yourself: Sometimes we just need to buy ourselves a little gift, like a bath bomb, or new lipstick, to make us feel like new again. It makes you feel special and gets you in a better mood.
- Go for a walk: Take 10 minutes to walk around your neighbourhood or down the street. Studies show that even moderate paced walking can help decrease anxiety and muscle tension, so get your feet moving!
- Hug someone you love: Support networks can often help us get through difficult times, and some studies even suggest that hugs from someone you care about can lower blood pressure. Knowing someone is there is often enough to help you manage your stress.
- Give yourself a hand massage: Do this for instant relaxation that calms a pounding heart! Your hands carry more tension than you think, so apply some lotion, and start kneading your hands, paying attention to your thumbs to help relive stress in the shoulders, neck, and scalp.
- Brush your hair: It may sound odd, but repetitive motions like running a brush through your hair can distract you from a stressful task and help you relax.
- Sniff some citrus: The smell of citrus has been proven to help induce relaxation because it is connected to the stress hormone norepinephrine. It also doubles as a great healthy snack!
We know that this time of year is particularly difficult for students, and many of us find ourselves having too many things on our minds, and on our to do lists. If you ever feel like your stress is unmanageable, we want to be able to support you. Visit the following link on the Brescia website if you are ever struggling and feel like your stress has gotten out of hand: http://brescia.uwo.ca/life/campus-ministry/resources/emergency-contacts/ or come into the Student Life Centre to chat about your options.