Top Three Stress-Relieving Tips

Being a student balancing school work with a social life, traveling, a serious relationship and wanting to stay fit can lead to a seriously busy day-to-day! How many nights have I stayed up way too late stressing things out of my control and then waking up in the morning exhausted from improper sleep? Too many to count. This year, I’ve made some personal goals to try to lead a healthier, less stressful lifestyle. Here is a list of my top 3 stress-relieving things you can try that I personally swear by!

• Yoga

Absolutely topping the list is yoga, my favourite hobby. While yoga might not be for everyone, I encourage you to try it if you never have. I have found the yoga community to be the most welcoming and understanding group of people. Usually, we share full silence besides the instructor’s voice, but the environment created in yoga studios is the most accepting I’ve ever encountered. The yogi community embraces newcomers with open arms (or mats, should I say.) I love yoga because it is a non-aggressive way of working out, it is a practice that disciplines both mind and body, it has made me more flexible and it has really helped with my personal body image. Yoga has also been found to help with stress, anxiety, sleep problems like insomnia, and self-esteem. Try a yoga class at my first (and favourite) club if you’re ever in London, Ontario.

• Get Enough Sleep!

I know what all the students reading this are thinking, yeah we would if we could. Trust me, I get it. Balancing your schedule and trying to get the recommended amount of sleep is honestly not possible sometimes, and I feel you on that! I am no stranger to birds chirping as I try to fall asleep (#bartenderproblems.) BUT, sleep is really important and a good night’s rest can seriously make or break your productivity and focus the next day. Getting into a regular sleeping pattern can help train your body to fall asleep at more regular times (try 12 pm and not 2 am.) Don’t study or eat in bed; keep your bed for sleep-only and you will be able to fall asleep quicker and get out of bed faster in the morning. My number one trick for healthier sleep pattern: put your phone out of your reach before you sleep. Lying in bed scrolling social media isn’t good for your eyes and it will keep you up later. Log off at night and let your eyes and mind rest – you’ll be able to fall into a deeper sleep that way.

• Journaling

Writing down my thoughts after a long day provides me with a safe place to empty my mind before I go to sleep. Keeping all my stress bottled up in my mind only causes me more stress in the long run, so I try to make a habit to release everything onto the page at least every few days. Journaling can help you find mental and emotional clarity, validate your experiences and come to understand yourself a bit better. If you’re not sure where to start, buy a prompt journal! Prompt journals will start you off by asking questions that make you think, which you can answer at your own pace. I have a few myself and I use them when I can’t think of anything to write about.