Health Tips: Stress Less
As you settle into your new class schedule, don’t get overwhelmed by commitments and bogged down with work. Make sure you take time for yourself, to keep yourself focused and stress-free. A great step to reducing stress is learning to manage your time well. The following tips may help:
Time management and stress management are closely related.
Try first to meet your basic needs, such as getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating nutritious foods and snacks, and getting physical exercise. Do what helps you to relax and manage daily stress. Otherwise, you may begin to feel even more overwhelmed than you would normally when experiencing the same level of stress.
Keep a schedule.
If you like to use a planner, keep only one calendar and use it daily. Some students like to create a To Do List every day, and cross out tasks they’ve completed. Once you create the list, be sure to prioritize tasks, determining what can be moved to the following or a later day if not accomplished.
Plan ahead.
Planning personal goals can help achieve more of what you want. Try to have realistic expectations that are attainable. If your goals are unrealistic, you can set yourself up for further disappointments and possible burnout. Encourage yourself to stay focused.
Make the best use of your time.
Sometimes, it helps to impose a deadline on yourself so that you make sure you’re making consistent progress. Set aside times to do specific tasks, and make sure you protect your schedule. Know the time of day when you do your best work and schedule study times accordingly. Set aside uninterrupted time to do specific tasks, such as answering your phone messages, email and Facebook messages. Build in cushions of time to account for the unexpected so you don’t become overwhelmed or miss deadlines.
Plan personal time to de-stress.
Last but not least, try not to overbook yourself without scheduling some down time as a way to replenish yourself. Try to schedule quiet transition time to decompress after a long day of classes or internship. Remember to allow yourself and your schedule flexibility to alleviate additional stress.