What has stress awareness month taught us that we can carry into the rest of the year and beyond?
As stress awareness month comes to an end, whether you have been practising stress relievers or not, let’s discuss some ways we can continue some into the rest of our year.
Student life is stressful and can be overwhelming from the get-go and this can sometimes stop us from enjoying the fun and sociable sides to uni.
This is why it is important that we have dedicated a month to stress awareness as this gives us an opportunity to identify some stress points that impact our daily lives.
Stress can come from your course, exams, maybe pressures within friendship groups or just generally stemming from trying to keep up with everyone else.
Here are my five top tips to try relieving some of your stress:
Self-care
Give yourself that night off to have a long relaxing shower, put on some comfy pyjamas, read a book, or watch a movie! This active effort to step back and look after yourself can give you a break from your stress.
Time with friends and family
Social time with loved ones allows for chilled out interactions. Maybe speak to someone about what is stressing you out, it may relieve some of that stress.
Make a plan
When your stress is based around exams or getting your work done, a revision plan can help or maybe Make an achievable to do list for the next day. Get it out and on paper (or your notes app!).
Exercise
If you’ve been sitting at a desk doing work all day and stressing about an upcoming deadline, go on an evening walk or maybe do an at home workout. This can provide a distraction from the stress and release your bodies stress through movement!
Write it out
I always find writing things out helps me when I’m stressed. Get a notebook and list all those things in your mind. Get it out and on paper (or your notes app!)
The conversation around mental health needs to include stress and how it can impact our mental health as many of us struggle with feelings of stress without even realising.
We should check in with ourselves and put our mental health first, with cultivating healthy stress relievers being a great start. It is important to be consistent with these methods of stress management.
When you find yourself stressed, remember to not just push through and take care of yourself.
Edited by Imogen Bowlt