Dealing with stress
Daily stress
We all feel stressed at times and it can be caused by a variety of different things. Everyone deals with stress in their own way but are ways in which you can reduce it’s impact upon you.
Lincoln students have provided their tips on how to deal with the stresses that everyone faces in daily life.
Make sure you understand the tasks that you have been set by your lecturers.
You don’t want to be turning up to a seminar not knowing what is going on, especially if you are asked questions and you do not know the answer. To avoid this try asking your lecturer if they can clarify anything you don’t understand, you can drop them a quick email and ask, but make sure you give them time to respond.
Do the reading you have been set.
Doing the reading will mean you more informed about the module you are being taught, and helps you develop a deeper understanding of the subject, and even the whole course itself.
Spending nights out is fine, but you need to remember that you still need to leave time to study. Not only that, being tired will only add to the stress. Rest can create a clear, and more productive mind, and it will put you in good stead for when you do have upcoming deadlines.
Stress can be thought of as a jug – the fuller the jug the less able you are to deal with additional stresses. Setting time away from the things that cause you stress and doing something completely different can empty the jug and reduce your stress levels. By doing something that you enjoy, such as painting or writing, you can escape from the stress.
By allowing yourself time to completely disappear into an activity you will leave it feeling refreshed and ready to face what causing you stress. It is important to have an outlet so you aren’t consumed by any negative thoughts or pressures you may be facing.
Joining a society or practicing more hobbies is a good way to help you relax when you are feeling stressed. Even if it’s taking the time to read a good book or just listen to the music you like. Reading, drawing, writing, etc. Do whatever you feel is good for you.
If you feel as though you are struggling with work or you keep procrastinating, do not stress. Prioritising your tasks can be a good way to start. Sort things in order of the date they need to be done and have it written down in front of you so that you can see when things need to be handed in.
Another great way to deal with assignment stress is to set and complete small and achievable goals. Stress can often come from big and daunting tasks, especially if you’ve been avoiding them, so if you give yourself some small wins, it can be a great way to boost your mood.
Self-care
Here are a collection of student tip for self-care when you are feeling stressed.
One great way to cope is to have a day off for yourself. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed have a day where you do what you want to do. Clearing your head will allow you to go back to working with a fresh set of eyes.
This day is all down to you, just make sure you are doing something you love and don’t be afraid to spoil yourself a little bit. Try a new Netflix series with some ice cream or go for a walk around the city. Going up to the cathedral can be very relaxing as it’s a scenic walk with some great views.
There are many green spaces around the city which can be great places to go and relax.
At the back of the cathedral, there is a wonderful lawn that is usually quiet with a great view of the cathedral.
If you want somewhere larger then there is the Arboretum which is a short walk from the city centre. The Arboretum is a 19th-century, 22-acre park with 2 ponds, gardens, a small play area, and a Victorian bandstand. It is a wonderful place to go for a walk and clear your head.
Tidy
Try tidying your room and even doing some redecorating. The advantages of this will be that you’ll have a cleaner and clearer space to work in, and you get that mood boost from knowing you’ve done something productive and useful.
Houseplants
House plants have been found to positively impact mental health. Naturally, with any plant comes a need for it to be nurtured and looked after. This act of making time to either water or feed your house plant gives you time to switch your attention to something positive.
The maintenance of a plant also acts as an analogy for managing stress – when a house plant experiences a stressor it will physically indicate what it needs (e.g. wilting or browning). Although it might be harder to notice, we also show signs of stress and need to be cared for too. Just seeing the plant can help you connect to nature, which is also thought to improve mental wellbeing. You might even want to journal the progress of the plant.
House plant care can be an excuse for you to take a quick break, focus on caring for yourself and help grow something rewarding at the same time!
Watch animal videos
Watching videos of adorable animals reduces stress by reducing heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety levels. These videos have been seen to induce a more positive emotional state, which then leads to an increased ‘upward spiral’ of positivity.
This new level of positivity is highly likely to help you to build resilience to stress and further positive moods. So, go give some animal accounts a follow on Instagram, or search for some cute videos on YouTube, and let the animals do the rest!
Listen to ASMR
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a feeling of well-being combined with a tingling sensation in the scalp and down the back of the neck. It is experienced by some people in response to a specific gentle stimulus, often a particular sound like whispering voices, tapping on objects, crinkling paper or even someone eating particular types of foods.
You can find plenty of YouTube channels dedicated to ASMR, including many different genres and themes. It might take a while to find something that suits you, but research has shown that ASMR lowers heart rate and improves overall health and well-being in the long term.
Crunchy food
Crunchy foods like carrots, celery and apple work well to provide a sense of relief by diverting your attention somewhere else, whilst reducing the tension that often builds up in your jaw when you’re stressed.
Another you can do is snack on some frozen grapes. Grab yourself some fresh grapes and pick them off the stalk, pop the loose grapes in a Tupperware box and leave them in the freezer overnight.
Tip: Use small boxes to portion the grapes so they last longer and take one small box out at a time, plus they’re easier to fit in the freezer!
Do a puzzle
Puzzles are an amazing way of refocusing your mind, allowing you to concentrate on one specific task. This positive mental stimulation can help you to create a meditation-style state where you can focus on the tranquillity and peacefulness of completing a relatively simple task, like a jigsaw.
By focusing on something completely different you will divert your attention from the other tasks you’ve been facing throughout the day, this will help you to create a fresh outlook when you finish your puzzle break.
We’ve all got used to the classic at-home workout, so why not change it up a bit and get stuck into a dance routine? Dancing causes your body to release endorphins, chemicals in your body that reduce stress and feelings of pain.
Find a dance to keep-fit style YouTube video or simply get your favourite music playing, and get practicing for when the clubs re-open!
Hobbies and their benefit on mental health
Deadlines for coursework and revising for upcoming exams can be very stressful, but there are some great and fun ways to deal with stress.
Give your brain some time to relax, just remember that when you have given yourself some time off, make sure you get back to work soon. Relaxing to relieve stress is fine, just don’t start procrastinating!