Favorite De-stress activities
College can get stressful, especially during midterm season and finals season. It is important to have methods to de-stress that work for you to avoid burnout early. During my time at Tufts, I have found a handful of ways I de-stress, and I want to share 3 of my favorite methods in this blog.
First, since I ‘discovered’ podcasts last year, I like to listen to podcasts and cook or do other activities that do not require too much brain power. I like to put in my earphones and play one of my favorite podcasts and make myself tea/coffee and snacks. Listening to podcasts even inspires me to clean. I usually do my chores like doing dishes and laundry while listening to a podcast. The good thing about podcasts is that it helps take my mind off stressful situations I am dealing with. Not only are podcasts entertaining, I usually learn something new at the end of the episode and that helps distract whatever I am stressing about. There are a lot of podcasts on Spotify in a wide range of genres, so there will definitely be one you will like!
My second de-stress method is very popular: watching Netflix or Hulu. Sometimes when I am feeling too tired to do work and stressed out, I turn to my favorite feel-good shows to help to boost positive emotions and provide a little escape from stress. This escape, removing yourself from a stressful situation, can help reassess the situation or feel recharged to tackle the source of your stress from a new angle. Though some may argue that watching Netflix is not productive, it is really important to take breaks here and there. It does not have to be Netflix, but any hobby that can take your mind off what is stressing you out will be beneficial to your mental health, especially in the long run.
The last de-stress method I will share here is to exercise. The exercise can be light and short just to help get the blood flowing and help distract you from the source of your stress. To be honest, it is difficult sometimes to exercise when you are stressed because it feels that you could be using that time to study or do something to resolve the stressful situation. However, as many people already know, exercise is scientifically proven to help one reduce stress and improve mood. Incorporating some type of exercise–a way to get your body moving–into your schedule can be really helpful.
Finding ways to de-stress is crucial to cope with the potential pressure and stress you may experience. There are a lot of other great ways, besides the three I mentioned here, to help de-stress. What are some ways you like to de-stress?