Staying stress-free in a stress-full world
While being an independent adult can come with great privileges and freedoms that being under our parents’ care didn’t allow, it also comes with the scary realities of adult life — exams, relationships, work and tuition.
So, with all of the craziness and business that comes with being a college student, what are the best ways we can take care of ourselves to make sure we don’t lose our touch with reality and keep our mental health in check?
- Skin care
Ah, yes. The one self-care routine we never seem to stop hearing about.
We all know those folks who have a 100-step skin care routine that they always babble about. They seem to use it almost religiously every single night before bed.
Now, not everyone can take that kind of time to keep their skin as smooth as a babys, but a simple one- or two-step routine can be quick, healthy, cheap and relaxing.
Using a simple face wash with some salicylic acid and a dab of pimple cream here or there can be a great way to keep you confident and help keep those stress pimples down.
Janessa Lemon, a sophomore studying dietetics, spoke passionately about her skin care routine when asked about what keeps her mind relaxed and stress levels down.
“I 10 out of 10 recommend the CeraVe salicylic acid cleanser and Paula’s Choice 2% BHA chemical exfoliator,” Lemon said. “I would drink facial cleanser if it wouldn’t kill me!”
Such CeraVe or Paula’s Choice products run in the neighborhood of $10-$25. Other similar face washes for those who aren’t as passionate — but still want to keep their skin and minds clear — can be found for a mere $5.
- Watching a movie
While another cliche way to relax, there is some truth to the effect of the infamous time machine that streaming platforms tend to be.
All too often, one episode becomes three. Next thing we know, we get hit with the “Are you still watching?” prompt, but by then it’s already too late and our productivity is nowhere to be found.
Gentry Mower, a USU senior, said, “I spend a lot of time using my brain for school, work and social activities,” said Gentry Mower, a USU senior. “A way to give my brain a break and hit the reset button is to watch a movie, which lets me be mindless and helps sharpen the saw. If I grind too hard all the time, my saw will get dull. So, I have to take some time to sharpen it so I can maximize efficiency.”
Anjan Chatterjee, a neurology professor at Penn Medicine, said in an article about the science behind binging TV that “it’s about a person’s experience of being completely immersed. You could be on your couch, but you lose track of the physicality of where you are when you’re transported into the story.”
For those who want to escape the daunting reality of adulthood with a TV show but don’t have an ex’s account to use, you can subscribe to these streaming services for as low as $5 per month.
- Journaling
One of the best ways to clear all of the thoughts and stress running amuck in your mind is to put them on paper.
Letting these thoughts flow from mind to paper has shown to be an effective way of not only removing stress and confusing emotions from one’s mind, but writing out our problems is also a great way to gain clarity on how to solve them.
According to an article from the University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia, “One of the ways to deal with any overwhelming emotion is to find a healthy way to express yourself. This makes a journal a helpful tool in managing your mental health.”
The article, which discusses how journaling helps prioritize problems, recognize triggers and express negative thoughts and behaviors, said journaling can help with managing anxiety, reducing stress and coping with depression.
Jakob Newlan, a USU sophomore, shared his enjoyment and appreciation for journaling when asked what his favorite self-care routine is.
“I enjoy writing in a journal,” Newlon said. “Writing down thoughts in a journal allows for collection of those thoughts into succinct trains of thought. It allows me to get them out.”
The best part about journaling is that it’s entirely free and you can do it from wherever you are. If you don’t want to buy a notebook and paper, various apps on your phone also create a space to neatly keep your thoughts and journal entries organized for whenever you need to look back on them.
- Exercise
Many peoples’ first thoughts when it comes to exercise are of the gym — a sanctuary for the bodybuilders but a prison of self-conscious thoughts to others. But exercise comes in many more shapes and sizes than just the machines and dumbbell racks at the Aggie Recreational Center.
School and extracurriculars can consume so much of our time that dedicating an hour or two a day to go get a solid lift in can be hard. So, what are some other ways to stay in shape and sweat out the stress?
Liza Dummer, a USU junior, said she loves exercising in the form of running.
“I think that sweating out stress is a real thing. Our body is meant to do hard things, and I think that it really enjoys it,” she said.
But not everyone is cut out for the arduous task of running long distances, especially with the sharp air of the Logan winter.
“I think if everyone were to make sure to get some sunshine everyday, the world would be a happier place,” Dummer added.
Some students, like senior Rhett Fackrell, love getting in some social time while they get active.
“Sports are a fun way to get exercise and brings me back to my childhood,” he said.
Other students, however, enjoy the isolation and quiet time that physical activity can bring.
Newlon shared his love for swimming.
“Going onto the water is about as isolated as I can get,” he said. “The spray of the water stimulates my body and the sounds of the waves, the breeze or the distant sounds from the shore offer just enough white noise to allow me to take time to consolidate and sort the mind clutter that accumulates over the course of the week.”
From the isolated swimming pools in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building, to the early morning hustle and bustle of the ARC weight room, to the great trails and mountains Logan has to offer, USU has just about every possible means of exercise available to its students.
The best part is that it’s all free access to university students, meaning you don’t have to drop a dime to enjoy the different programs and resources offered by the school.
This Mental Health Week, discovering and trying out new self-care practices could be just what you need to get you through your next round of midterms or to help you tackle the pile of meetings and homework sitting on your desk.
But one thing is for certain, taking care of your responsibilities can’t happen if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
-Michael.Popa@usu.edu
Featured photo by: Kate Smith