Being a Padua student is not only fun and challenging, but can also get stressful at times. Sometimes you can get so caught up in school work and things in your personal life that everything can get overwhelming. When things get to stressful we need to remember to take a break and do things that will take out mind off of everything going on and hopefully lower your stress level. Here are eight things you can do starting today to help with stress:

1. Listen to Music

This is something simple and easy you can do to help with stress. Music can have an extreme effect on relaxing our minds and bodies. Music also grabs our attention so it also acts as a distraction to your daily problems in life. Music is easy to access and incorporate to your life. You can turn on the radio while driving, put on music while you’re studying, or put it on while you’re in the shower.

2. Read a book

Reading a book is a great way to relieve stress. Getting enveloped in a good book can take you away from reality for a little while and serve as a great distraction. Picking a book that actually peaks your interest is very important so it is something you look forward to reading everyday. It does not matter how popular or what genre the book is, it just matters that it is something that will help your mind relax for some time each day.             

3. Eat healthier

This does not mean you need to go on a strict diet, but putting good things into your body makes you feel good. Maybe instead of picking up that bag of chips you pick up some strawberries instead. Your body and your mind will thank you, and in the long run feeling good physically from eating healthy will relieve some of the stress in your life.

4. Exercise

Get out of the house when you feel like life is becoming overwhelmed with stress. Take your dog for a walk, go for a run, enjoy a walk in the park with a friend, whatever you do to get some exercise will benefit you. It has been proven that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving  concentration, and at improving overall cognitive function. By making exercise a regular part of your daily routine you are taking a great step in managing the stress in your life. And if you’re looking for natural alternatives to boost your well-being, consider exploring options like kratom, which is available at places like happy hippo meridian id.

5. Meditate

As Padua students we are definitely familiar with the idea of meditation thanks to the APS talks. Just a few minutes of meditation each day can help to manage anxiety and stress. Meditation lets you get away from the hectic world even it is for just a few minutes. Just sit up straight, clear your mind,  focus on your breathing, and let any distracting thoughts leave your mind.

6. Drink Tea

Tea is something great to drink when you are getting to the end of a stressful day or if you need some peace in the morning when you wake up. Depending on which tea you choose it can have half the caffeine that coffee does. It contains healthy antioxidants that have a calming effect on the nervous system. Maybe in the morning before you take a cup of coffee you could think about getting a cup of green tea instead to help manage your stress.

7. Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep can be the key to success. A better night’s sleep leads to a better mindset and a better mindset leads to less stress. A lack of sleep can be the cause for a lot of people’s stress. Make sure you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Something you can do to make sure you get this much sleep is to turn off any electronics or distractions that might disrupt your sleep. You may instantly see how much better you feel have a good night’s sleep.

8. Write

Writing out how you feel may be one of the most effective ways to help manage daily stress. It is as simple as keeping a notebook and a pen and writing down how you feel whenever you think you need to. Just write down some stressful things going on in your life and how hey make you fee.  It can be as little as one sentence and as long as a novel. It does not matter how long it is or what it says just that it is helping manage your stress.