As we head towards the end of trimester, with exams looming just around the corner, stress is a very real threat to our productivity and mood. Sometimes, to keep our minds and bodies in the best shape, it helps to step away from the notebooks or laptop for an hour to recharge. Everyone has their own methods of de-stressing, here are my tips for keeping healthy during a stressful time of the year.
- Yoga: yoga may seem cliché and over-rated in 2017, but it can be useful for relaxing (even if you don’t own yoga pants). Whether you’re looking to improve your flexibility or just calm your mind, there is a yoga regime to suit you. I personally love the app Yoga Studio, which offers a range of different classes for all experience levels. It even separates classes into their different focuses, such as strength, flexibility or relaxation.
- Colouring in: this relaxing exercise helps keep me calm when I’m taking a break from studying or right before I go to bed. There’s just something about the gradual addition of colour to a previously blank image that gives me so much satisfaction. There are some amazing books that can be found on websites such as Book Depository and Dymocks, but your local Kmart has a good variety, with options for animal-lovers, scenery-lovers and more.
- Eating a variety of foods: fad diets and magazines often make it sound incredibly difficult to eat healthily, with calorie counting and carb cutting just some of the many trends. The most important thing to remember when it comes to food is eating a variety of different kinds. This doesn’t mean you need to cut sugar out completely; a lolly from the Uni Store every now and again is okay, but it’s good to balance it out with eating plenty of fruits and vegies of different colours throughout the week.
- Bath Bombs: Lastly, but definitely not least, for me, there is nothing better than settling into a hot bath after a long day walking around university, and bath bombs add a new level of relaxation. It can be so peaceful dropping the sphere of colour into the bath and watching it fizz under the water, releasing lovely aromas into the air. Lush is a beauty company that makes handmade products which haven’t been tested on animals, and their bath bombs are my favourite. Definitely try their Dragon Eggs variety if you like popping candy and swirls of colour.
Although university can occupy our thoughts and actions, it is important to take some time out for yourself.
These are just some of the ways I try to keep relaxed and healthy whilst studying. You can share your tips in the comments section below.
– Samantha
