4 Tips to Fighting Stress the Sensible Way

Benjamin Franklin forgot one thing when he said that, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” He forgot to include stress.

Stress is something that affects us all. You can be the happiest man in the world, yet there’s still bound to be something, some situation or someone that triggers stress. Students are particularly susceptible to stress, what with the number of tasks they have to juggle on a daily basis. Aside from the backbreaking study loads you have to deal with, you also have to deal with other ‘side’ problems that cause just as much stress as schoolwork does.

With your focus on your future business careers, it can be very easy to become overwhelmed by everything that’s taking place around you. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to manage the stress brought about by school life. Stress management won’t come easy, but with practice and patience, you’ll find yourself able to detect stress and do something about it.

Here are 4 ways to do just that.

1.       Get Out and Walk Around

The simple act of going out and walking can be enough to relieve your stress in just a few minutes. Extricating yourself from the tasks, people and objects that are causing you stress also gets your mind off of your stress triggers. Walking on the other hand allows you to take a deep breath and clear your mind, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Sometimes, this little activity is all you need to make it through a day’s worth of schoolwork.

2.       Bring out your iPod

But don’t just listen to any type of music. Listen to tracks that are actually soothing and relaxing—no, heavy metal doesn’t count, unless of course you’re the type who somehow relaxes to it. Meditative music and sounds of nature are best. We personally recommend nature sounds, as it has the uncanny ability to make you one with nature. It may seem like hippie drivel but believe it or not, it has the power to relax your mind.

3.       Watch your Breath

When we’re stressed, we often react by holding our breath and making shallow breaths from our chest, instead of from the diaphragm. When you feel a stress attack coming, make it a habit to take a deep breath, purse your lips, and breathe out slowly.  Breathe from your diaphragm. You’ll know this by putting a hand on your tummy, right below the ribcage—if it moves, you’re doing it right. This simple practice can calm you down effectively.

4.       Hit the Gym

Well you don’t have to, since there are many ways to work on your fitness at home. Just make it a habit to get your fair share of exercise each week. Exercise gets your mind off of school and work, and it cures sleeping disorders such as insomnia, helping you rest better at night. Besides, your body and mind will thank you for the endorphin rush you get from your workout routine.