It’s the most un-wonderful time of the year. Finals are coming up in December and you are probably stressing out — so don’t forget to take some time for yourself. Here are 10 ways to de-stress for finals.
1. Go swing dancing with the Swing Dancing Club!
Did you know Newman has a Swing Dance Club? Dancing gets the blood flowing and increases energy level. “Dancing will take your mind off of the actual final itself, so you have a good time with friends and when you get back to study more, you are rejuvenated,” said student Marisa Zayat.
2. Play some ping pong
Make it a goal to challenge and defeat everyone who walks through the student center. Once you’ve become the ping pong master, you’ll feel unstoppable and go into your finals with the same mindset.
3. Jam on your instrument
Turn the amp up to 10 and put all of your stress into the instrument’s strings, keys, and volume. Don’t worry, it can take it. Once all of the stress is gone, close your eyes for a few minutes, breath, and tackle some more studying. Studies show that music around 60 beats per minute can cause the brain to synchronize with the beat, causing alpha brainwaves (frequencies from 8 – 14 hertz or cycles per second). This alpha brainwave is what is present when we are relaxed and conscious. Also, according to Sixty & Me, different types of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones.
4. EXERCISE!
Whether it’s at the gym, park, swimming pool, or even in your yard, actively moving your body helps reduce stress hormones and helps your body release endorphins, which makes you happier. And don’t forget, Newman students get a special deal at Genesis Health Clubs!
5. Go to the pet store
Or if you have a pet, cuddle with your furry friend and watch your favorite episode on Netflix. Everyone knows pets have a mysterious way of calming humans down.
6. Play video games
Playing action video games increases your quick thinking skills and also promotes strategy building. Not only that, video games force you to get your brain turning while you hack obstacles and levels. These things can help train your brain to do the same when studying and memorizing for a test.
7. Make it a game
Make your final reviewing a game! Ask a sibling or a friend to play with you. There are cool websites that can make your flashcards into a Jeopardy game. “I like to turn my studying into a game because it keeps me motivated and try a little harder so that I can beat my opponent or my ‘high-score,'” said freshmen Ralston Tersol.
8. Bake!
Even if you don’t know what you’re doing! Honestly, it makes the baking a whole lot more fun. Attack a cake with a friend and afterward, eat it before going back to studying. Who knows, maybe all that sugar will help you stay up later for even more studying!
9. Take a nap
After all that sugar, you might experience a drop from the “sugar high.” It’s OK. People are meant to sleep more than two hours a day. And when you wake up, grab a cup of coffee or tea and you will be attacking that final with a rested, and even better, awake, mind. According to Stanford University, “the average sleep requirement for college students is well over eight hours, and the majority of students would fall within the range of this value plus or minus one hour.” But being a college student, sleep is a dream. This is where power naps come in. In fact, a 20-minute nap will greatly benefit anyone who feels they need a recharge as it will improve overall alertness, boost mood, and increase productivity, according to Campus Grotto.
10. Go for a drive
You can be headed somewhere or nowhere at all. Make sure you have your feel-good tunes turned up and your windows rolled down. Go ahead and sing to the people in the vehicles next to you.
Now that you’re rejuvenated, go and conquer those finals! Believe and have confidence in yourself and you will succeed.
