Stress amongst most students is common especially when they are working to get that assignment in on time or preparing to revise for exams along with cost of living. Finding a good way to calm down and de-stress will help you perform better in your exams and improve the essays you write. Cover4insurance has put together some tips on how to beat stress.
1. A Varied and Healthy diet
Eating fresh ingredients and lots of fruit is really important. Juices filled with vitamin C, such as orange or grapefruit juice, are said to be good for your immune system so can help with stress. Try to reduce your intake of caffeine, replace energy drinks with water and coffee with healthy teas.
2. Exercise
Doing sport at least once a week is the best way to reduce stress. It helps your body produce endorphins, which make you feel good. Even daily walks of 30 minutes can help reduce stress levels but it's even better to work out intensively. Even if you don't feel like it at the time you will feel the benefits afterwards.
3. Meditation
It might sound simple, but sitting quietly for 10 minutes a day can really help with stress levels. If you've never tried meditation before, it's worth a go.
4. Take Breaks Regularly
Short breaks between working can help you switch off. But longer breaks are important too.
5. Get a Pet
It is said that spending time with animals is good for your health. If you pat a dog for a couple of minutes, your body releases hormones that make you feel happy and can decrease the amount of stress in your system. Most universities halls won't let you keep an animal though, so spending some time with friends or family who have pets is a good option.
6. Sleep
Sleep is always the best medicine and some people find that small 20-minute naps can help increase productivity.
As students we tend to spend too much time on social media sites and answering emails, texts and phone calls. Sociability is fun – but too much of it, and too much computer time, can lead to more stress.
7. Quit smoking
Some people say they smoke to relax, but researchers on the European Board for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco suggest that nicotine suppresses the hormone serotonin, which fights stress.
8. Try to see the Positive Side
If you missed a deadline, try to appreciate what you learned from this mistake: now you know how to plan ahead.
9. Listen to Calming Music
Listening to music can help calm you down and put you in a better frame of mind. If you're feeling stressed, putting on some calming music while you work could really help.
10. Insure Your Possessions
Reduce the stress of being away from home and feeling vulnerable; by getting student's contents and possessions insurance, with the peace of mind that should something go awry you are covered.