Boom! Goodbye school, Hello Illness.
That's what happened to me. (with no exaggerations, your honor.) That's what you get when you're really stressed-out then you do nothing to suppress the load of stress your'e carrying. I remembered I really had slept at least 4 hours, or maybe 3 hours but it's really wasn't enough.
Or maybe the illness is heavily intensified with other factors such as lifestyle modifications, the weather, or maybe some unruly kids trying to ruin your sweet vacation.
or maybe it's a Post-school syndrome. You know, by really working hard to earn something you really wanted, you really really deserve a pound or even a barrel of rest. Maybe my body needs it so badly that I've been bed-ridden for 3 days, recovering for at least one week to regain my health.
That's why it's important for students (or anyone) to de-stress every once in a while to sustain the adjustments needed by our body. You know, our body (and our health) is a precious treasure, and it is entrusted to us by God to take good care of it.
So I ask Mr. Google what might be his possible recommendations, and whoa, he gave me a whopping 623,000 suggestions.
So out of some galactic techie junk, I've stumbled upon http://stress.about.com/od/studentstress/tp/school_stress.htm
Here are some of the tips shared to us by Elizabeth Scott, M.S
1. Power Naps
Students, with their packed schedules, are notorious for missing sleep. Unfortunately, operating in a sleep-deprived state puts you at a distinct disadvantage. You’re less productive, you may find it more difficult to learn, and you may even be a hazard behind the wheel! Learn more about the effects of sleep deprivation and the value of the power nap; for busy students, it’s a must!
2. Visualizations
This one is easy, effective, and can help you to do better in school. Visualizations can help you calm down, detach from what’s stressing you, and turn off your body’s stress response. You can also use visualizations to prepare for presentations, to stress less and score higher on tests by vividly seeing yourself performing just as you’d like to. Learn more about how to use guided imagery and visualizations to reduce stress and prepare for success. (see yourself doing well)
3. Exercise
One of the healthiest ways to blow off steam is to get a regular exercise program going. Students can work exercise easily into their schedules by doing yoga in the morning, walking or biking to campus, or reviewing for tests with a friend while walking on a treadmill at the gym. Starting now and keeping a regular exercise practice throughout your lifetime can help you live longer and enjoy your life more.
4. Breathing Exerc
When your body is experiencing a stress response, you’re often not thinking as clearly as you could be. A quick way to calm down is to practice breathing exercises. These can be done virtually anywhere to relieve stress in minutes, and are especially effective for reducing anxiety before or even during tests, as well as during other times when stress feels overwhelming. Learn more about how to practice breathing exercises.
5. PMR
Another great stress reliever that can be used during tests as well as before bed (to prepare for sleep), or at other times when stress has you physically ‘wound up’, is something called Progressive Muscle Relaxation, or PMR. This technique involves tensing and relaxing all muscles until the body is completely relaxed. With practice, you can learn to release stress from your body in seconds. Learn more about PMR.
6. Music
A convenient stress reliever that has also shown many cognitive benefits, music can help you to relieve stress and either calm yourself down or stimulate your mind as your situation warrants. Students can harness the benefits of music by playing classical music while studying, playing upbeat music to ‘wake up’ mentally, or relaxing with the help of their favorite slow melodies. Learn more about why and how music is a great stress reliever, and how to use music for stress management.
7. Staying Organized
It’s a fact that clutter causes stress, and can decrease productivity and even cost you money! Many students live in a cluttered place and even have cluttered study areas, and this can have negative effects on grades. One way to reduce the amount of stress that you experience as a student is to keep a minimalist, soothing study area that’s free of distractions and clutter. It’s worth the effort!
8. Eat Right
You may not realize it, but your diet can either boost your brain power or sap you of mental energy! While a healthy diet isn’t generally thought of as a stress management technique or a study aid, it can actually function as both! Read more on the consequences of a poor diet, and learn how to relieve stress with a healthy diet. It takes virtually no extra time, and can keep you from experiencing diet-related mood swings, light-headedness and more.
9. Self Hypnosis
Students often find themselves ‘getting very sleepy’ (like when they pull all-nighters), but—all kidding aside—self hypnosis can be an effective stress management tool and a power productivity tool as well. With it, you can help yourself release tension from your body and stress from your mind, and plant the seeds of success in your subconscious mind with the power of autosuggestion.
10. Positive Thinking and Affirmations
Did you know that optimists actually experience better circumstances, in part, because their way of thinking helps to create better circumstances in their lives? It’s true! The habit of optimism and positive thinking can bring better health, better relationships, and, yes, better grades. Learn how to train your brain for more positive self talk and a brighter future withaffirmations and other tools for optimism.
So Remember, when you are STRESSED, always DE-STRESS.
