Methods of Dealing with Stress

With the heart of the fall semester gradually coming towards us, the onset of exams and fear of making deadlines stumble into the scene as well. As a sophomore in college, I have come to realize that there are positive and negative ways to deal with stress, and unfortunately, I used to only rely on the latter.

Stress can come from all sorts of different areas of life, whether it be from preparing for a huge presentation or having to write several essays in the span of a single night. One of my worst habits is the way that I stress eat. Food became a sort of an escape from my anxiety while I was studying for a test or writing an essay. If I took some time away from thinking by doing something that could only feel satisfying, I would feel relieved. Regrettably, the only foods that I chose to eat my feelings through were junk foods such as chips or pizza or anything that had a high sodium content. This, in turn, made my skin worsen and my thoughts on body image fall as well. I could tell stress eating wouldn’t be beneficial for me in the long run, so I sought out to find better ways to cope with pressure.

Finding time in your day to take a nap can be a positive method but only if you are adamant about planning out a specific time of day to sleep and waking up at the designated time. I did a lot of napping over quarantine, but those were unplanned and ended up making a mess of my sleep schedule. Sometimes all you need is a good night’s sleep in order to feel better about yourself or about an upcoming test. The best performances that you can give are probably not possible while sleep deprived.

Some more positive outlets include talking with friends/ranting, exercising, or doing something creative such as art. Indulging in your favorite hobbies can take your mind off of whatever it is that is causing you anxiety. I’ve personally found listening to my favorite artists very therapeutic and being able to let my feelings out through ranting has never failed me. Sometimes, relating to other people, and finding out ways to deal with stress together can completely change your outlook on your stressor. Going for a walk around the city, getting a breath of fresh air, or meditating can give your mind a break. Exercising has been known to release endorphins, which will trigger a positive feeling in your body.

Overall, I cannot stress enough how much I believe in taking breaks when you are feeling overwhelmed. It is not healthy to keep building onto your anxiety or trying to take on too much. Taking time off to pamper yourself or treat yourself to something that relaxes you could never do you wrong as long as you know your limits. Avoid doing anything damaging to your body, and remember to drink lots of water.