College can be an exciting and challenging time in one’s life. On the one hand, it’s a wonderful chance to develop personally and professionally and meet new people. However, on the other hand, it can also be a very stressful and exhausting experience, especially with finals just around the corner. It’s common for college students to have to learn to balance their courses, projects, social lives, and personal obligations, some of them for the first time in their lives. This can result in high levels of stress and exhaustion. To help you through this challenging time, we compiled some tips to prevent overstressing your body during college. Use our advice to remain on top of things while still taking advantage of all that college life has to offer.
Get Enough Rest
Getting enough sleep is crucial for your health, no matter your age. However, sleep is more important than ever when going through a difficult and stressful time like college. While we sleep, we can recharge our minds, heal our muscles, consolidate memories, and strengthen our immune systems. Not getting enough sleep can be one of the things that are also causing you stress.
Of course, we all know what college is like. Of course, sleep isn’t your first priority! Many college students pull all-nighters to prepare for a test or go to a party. While we all know it’s not healthy, it’s actually way more serious than it looks. If you’re struggling with insomnia or falling asleep in general, try strategies like limiting your caffeine intake, dimming the lights, or putting away electronics at least an hour before bed.
Eat Healthy
The first rule of self-care is that it comes from the inside. Actually, it comes from the food you eat. While you may not have the time to cook for yourself or prepare healthy meals every day of the week, jumping straight to unhealthy fast food shouldn’t be your only option. Instead, you should try to maintain a more balanced diet. If you have to miss out on an hour of studying every once in a while to have a proper meal – do it! The benefits of getting enough nutrients outweigh the benefits of studying an extra hour. It will also help you take time to be mindful of what you’re eating and have meals be the time you take for yourself to focus on your health.
Move Your Body
Going to college entails a lot of sitting in lectures, sitting while studying, etc. On average, most college students spend most of their time behind a desk, whether staring at a computer or a book. This can be a huge source of stress, and you might not even realize it.
That’s why moving your body multiple times during the day is essential. This will help you prevent overstressing your body during college. For example, try some exercises behind the desk. Moreover, try taking a walk outside to refresh your mind every once in a while. If you have trouble concentrating, this might help you freshen up and prepare for the next round of flashcards or exam questions.
Unplug
People have never found it challenging to take a vacation from the digital world like today. There is constant activity around us, new social media fads, and various things you can occupy your time with. This, too, can be pretty stressful and overwhelming. While you cannot possibly completely remove yourself from the things around you, you can definitely lessen the impact to some degree.
By monitoring your behavior, you can reduce the amount of time you spend on the phone when using social media. When you spend less time in front of a computer, you can use that time to do things you haven’t done in a while rather than something digital.
Declutter Your Space
We know this tip sounds like something your mum would tell you to get you to clean your room, but it’s absolutely true. If you’re stressed or overwhelmed, cleaning and decluttering your room can help. For starters, cleaning and seeing a tidy space will give you a sense of accomplishment. Moreover, a decluttered space will make you feel more at ease and less tense. If your space is organized, it will be easier to relax at the end of the long day.
If you don’t have enough storage space in your dorm room or apartment, consider getting a storage unit you can afford. This way, you’ll have a place to store all the items you’re not currently using that you might need later, like old books or winter clothes during the summertime.
Talk to Someone
If you feel like you’re struggling, talk to someone. Talk to your friends, classmates, teachers, parents, etc. If you feel like you’re experiencing stress more than other people, don’t hesitate to also talk with a licensed therapist or a psychologist. Don’t be ashamed to seek the help and support you need.
Breathe
In the end, it’s crucial to learn to calm yourself to prevent overstressing your body during college. Inhale deeply and retain the air for five seconds. Let it out now. Assure yourself that everything will turn out for the best in the end. Take a moment to relax and concentrate on the here and now.
Sometimes just taking a deep inhalation is all it takes to settle down. It truly is beneficial. Take a moment to unwind and reassess your situation; odds are, it is related to an exam or another issue that won’t significantly alter your life in the grand scheme of things.
Final Thoughts
College is a stressful time for everyone. However, there are some ways to prevent overstressing your body during college. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and your body. Stay as active as possible and keep eating healthy to feel better inside and outside. Ultimately, you don’t have to change your entire routine suddenly. But making a few changes every day can go a long way!
