In the face of an overwhelming amount of stress, simple changes in habit can keep students from getting overwhelmed. Despite the fact that college application season is over for seniors, a majority of the student body, including seniors, will be testing in a little over a month. Na gives five easy ways to ward off stress as testing season approaches.
1. Meditate
Meditation is a common practice to stay calm, relaxed and focused. According to Project Meditation, a website dedicated to informing the public about the benefits of daily meditation, the practice originated in India, but recently spread to a global scale. It is now considered one of the top methods of maintaining proper mental health and inner balance amongst other methods such as yoga and nature walks.
“If you meditate for fifteen minutes a day, your concentration level increases dramatically and you also [need to] sleep less since it’s letting your mind rest,” Na said. According to Project Meditation, your concentration levels can at times even double.
2. Talk with friends
According to Reach Out, a website that promotes talk therapy, talking helps people sort through their thoughts and gain a better understanding of what they are going through. Talking to friends can also help build empathy and develop a strong support network.
“I think interaction and sharing your experience with other people is helpful. You can vent and maybe even get some good advice,” Na said.
3. Listen to classical music
Listening to music stimulates ten parts of your brain, including the motor cortex and the cerebellum, Belle Beth Cooper, who has studied brain research deeply, explains. Listening to classical music, even just as background sound, can help stimulate creativity and production capacity.
“I know this sounds really out there, but listening to classical music in your left ear really helps you improve your emotional intelligence,” Na said.
4. Turn off your distracting devices
According to Forbes, 89% of teenagers and twenty year olds waste up to five hours a day on their phones. Turning off these distracting devices such as cellphones and laptops can lower stress levels by limiting procrastination and raising efficiency.
“Just turn off your iPhone for a few hours. Honestly, it’ll keep you so much more focused,” Na said.
5. Take a break from your stressor and have fun
The human brain can only focus for 45 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes at a time. A ten to twenty-five minute break, provided that it is only a short break and does not exceed half an hour, actually increases the brain’s ability to focus and work productively. Breaks also help maintain mental health by distancing people from their stressor and allowing them to do something they enjoy.
“We want you to just enjoy life and have fun, especially if things are really stressful,”
Na said.
Psychology Club meets Fridays at lunch in room C209 to talk about life issues applicable to students, how to deal with these issues and connect with other group members.
