Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed as the end of the semester approaches? Do you feel like everything is piling up and you don’t know what to do or how to handle it? Here are a few tips to help you ease your stress and anxiety.

Take some time for yourself

College can be stressful and overwhelming, especially with constantly being around others. Taking some much-needed time for yourself, even if it is only for a few minutes a day, can do wonders to ease your stress and anxiety. Also making sure you take breaks when studying for finals can go a long way in keeping you from becoming overwhelmed and anxious. This can, in turn, help you get back into a better mindset when you start studying again. 

Spend some time outside

The spring weather has made being outside much more tolerable, so I suggest spending at least a few minutes a day outside. Getting some Vitamin D will boost both your energy and your attitude. Find some friends to go on a walk with or kick a ball around on The Great Lawn. Even bringing a blanket and laying down outside to get some homework done might help ease your stress as well. 

Eating Healthy and Drinking Water

A change in diet will help with not only your physical health but your mental health as well. Being sure to eat enough, as well as covering the basic food groups with what you are eating, will help with your energy levels. A rise in energy levels from eating healthier can help you think more clearly and feel more alert. 

Drinking enough water is also very important to your mental health, because just like eating healthy, it keeps the brain clear and gives you more energy. 

Keep your living space clean  

For some people, their living space is a reflection of their mental health and stress levels. By taking the time each day just to pick up around the room and keep it clean, you can ease your mental state. It is super easy to just let go and not think about cleaning up your room, but as soon as you do, you could feel a lot better which might give you the motivation to handle the other stressors in your life. 

Go to the counseling center

It is not new information that people feel differently about counseling and therapy, but I am here to tell you that it is one of the best things to help improve your mental health. Having someone to just listen to you and provide advice as well as support is a blessing. You may feel uncomfortable at first if you have never tried counseling before, but once you get over the hump of going the first few times, you’ll see just how much help it can be. 

To make an appointment in the CNU Counseling Center, call (757) 594-7047.

Now I know not all of these tips will work for everyone, but just by trying a couple you might see some serious changes in your mental health and overall attitude. When going into finals, implement some of these into your life and see how they are able to reduce stress and anxiety. 

Disclaimer: These methods are for reducing stress and anxiety. If you are experiencing severe mental health issues please seek help from a professional.