‘Try not to let it consume you’: How I deal with stress at university

Feel like giving up on uni? Want to just be done with it? Well, as Monica says in Friends, “Welcome to the real world. It sucks, but you’re going to love it.” That’s what I think about when I’m stressed out. Life isn’t easy, instead life is beautifully difficult. It takes a lot of effort to believe in these words and to be honest, it works for me most of the time.

Most of us know what stress is like. Exams, work, events, holidays, or maybe just something important you’re planning. Stress can pop up anywhere affecting us in different ways - from bad sleep to skin problems and low energy. It can become difficult to handle everything, but I’m here to let you know that it’s okay.

It's normal to get stressed sometimes, however you should try not to let it consume you. It's important to wind down and switch off sometimes, to restock your energy and find the right balance between time for work and time for yourself.

Over this past year I’ve had some realisations, which I think they might help you.

Ways to handle stress

1. Moving and breathing

Normally we'll only walk to buy groceries or to get somewhere. Alternatively why not put on some shoes and take a walk without any particular direction. I try to concentrate on my breath and what surrounds me, especially other people and the beauty of nature. By doing so, I am able to explore my city and slow my mind.

Meditation and yoga work too. For me, it was hard in the beginning to bring my movements in harmony with my breath, but as soon as I managed it I became more conscious of my body and my thoughts. Breathing not only lowers my heart rate but also my stress levels. It's especially helpful in the morning, so I can start the day as calm as possible.

2. Reading and writing

Reading is a good way to lose yourself in a different universe and let my mind wander. Especially when I relate to the characters, I forget for a short moment where I am.

Writing can also help with this too. By writing down my thoughts, feelings and ideas onto paper I can make space in my mind for new ones and take the weight off my shoulders. By writing down what’s on my mind, both positive and negative, I am able to have a calmer sleep and start the next day refreshed.

3. Hobbying

I love cooking, sports, and arts: one hobby for my soul, one for my body, and one creative. By pursuing a hobby, especially a creative one, you may activate parts of your brain that you usually don’t use at uni or work. Especially during stressful times, it helps me to give certain parts of my brain a rest to be more productive afterwards.

If you are thinking about trying something new, go for it! You will be so focused on learning that you won’t even realise how you relaxed you’ve become until you feel it. Even if it is just trying out an unfamiliar activity I try to fully engage, which doesn’t only distract me but also expands my knowledge.

4. Music and dancing

I love going to a club with my friends. I enjoy the time, the company and sometimes even a drink. Despite that, what helps me a lot is dancing at home with my headphones on. This may sound awkward, but if you close your curtains nobody can see you, and thanks to the headphones nobody can hear your choice of music (except if you sing along, which happens to me sometimes).

Dancing to pop and rock music makes me extremely exhausted, but happy. Even classical music or soundtracks can help me switch off by concentrating on harmonising my movements with the rhythm.

5. Taking a trip

During breaks or the holidays, I like to invest in spending quality time with my friends or family and explore a new place. It doesn’t even have to be far away. Similar to walking, I can switch off from what is taking my energy. Experiencing new people and a new culture helps me to take a step back and recharge my energy, all while having new experiences and making memories.

In recent years, I was able to visit Prague, Edinburgh, Brussels, and Amsterdam while spending as little as possible. A perfect way to save money would, for example, be sharing a room or even staying at a friend’s home. It doesn’t always need to involve a luxurious hotel or expensive food.

Remember to look after yourself

These five things are the simplest ways to relax after a hectic day at uni. Make sure you have one of your favourite meals before going to bed and end the day on a positive. A hot shower will also help release all your stress!

As well as relaxing in the evenings, it’s also helpful to take a whole day out of your schedule to really detox from the week’s stresses. I kept Wednesdays to myself. I had class only for an hour and would then go to my favourite spot in town and relax. With endorphins released into my body from being outdoors, life would become a little easier.

Lastly, it’s not easy to wake up in the morning and cook for the day ahead, so use your Sundays to batch-cook your favourite meals for the whole week. That will keep you going while taking the stress out of deciding what to eat each day. Here are some meal prepping ideas to get you started.