As a modern high schooler, stress is easy to gather and hard to get rid of.
Maybe you realized you forgot to bring the essay that was due today, flunked a test you were confident in, or had an argument with a friend.
But instead of letting your stress take over, you can manage them and destress– quickly!
Here are 5 ways you can destress in under 5 minutes so you can stop stress in its tracks when you feel it building inside you!
4-7-8 Breathing
Taking deep breaths can help calm your mind and body down when you’re feeling stressed or tense.
Take deep-breathing to the next level by doing the 4-7-8 breathing technique!
By breathing in a pattern, your mind and body are focused on performing the pattern rather than trying to get rid of the stress.
Follow these steps:
- Sit or lie down comfortably (lying down is best if you’re trying to fall asleep)
- Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth, behind your top front teeth
- Let go of all your air through the month
- Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds/counts
- Hold your breath for 7 seconds/counts
- Exhale through the mouth for 8 seconds/counts
Think of a Solution
Sometimes, stressing at the moment can bring us into a spiral of fear and anxiety.
Instead of thinking “Why did I do that?” or “I’m so screwed if she finds out”, try to think of a solution for the problem!
For example, if you forgot to bring an assignment, simply ask a family member to deliver it to school or ask your teacher if you can bring it in the next day.
Or if test results come out the next day and you’re not sure how you did, think of what you can do in the worst-case scenario. Simply tell the truth: you tried your best, but your knowledge/skill just isn’t quite there yet!
Remember, a bad test score, a missing assignment, or a fallout with a friend isn’t going to kill you. There will always be a solution, and maybe you can think of the best one!
Take a Walk Outside
There is scientific proof that being outdoors can lower stress & anxiety and eliminate bad moods by lowering cortisol levels (a stress hormone).
If you’ve been at home all day (especially now that we’re in quarantine), it’s good to go outside for a bit and enjoy the fresh air.
After a long period of working and/or studying, your brain is tired and experiencing “mental fatigue.”
Being outside can restore your brainpower, as studies found that the energy in people’s brains returned when exposed to nature.
So the next time after a difficult day, go outside and admire the nature around you! Especially if you were cooped up at home all day.
Listen to Music
Listening to the right music can help your mind and body relax.
Slow and soft music, especially classical and lofi, can reduce stress by distracting your brain, slowing down your heart rate, and reducing cortisol levels.
But other than just relaxing to music, you can also have fun while listening to release tension.
Many people like singing and dancing along to songs (in which case pop songs are great) to boost their moods.
However you enjoy music is totally up to you, but music definitely has its benefits for mental health, whether it’s soothing your mind or uplifting your mood.
Have a Laugh
Whether you’re grinning, giggling, snorting, or guffawing, laughing has many health benefits.
Laughing doesn’t only relieve mental pressures, it also brings physical benefits:
- enhances the intake of oxygen
- relieves heart rate & blood pressure
- soothes muscle tension
Who would’ve thought?
There are countless funny things online. You can find hundreds of thousands of memes, funny clips, and episodes of shows online, all available for you to laugh at.
So the next time you’re feeling stressed out, have a good laugh!
Conclusion
It’s easy to become stressed as a high schooler. But if you just let yourself overcome the stress, there’ll always be a way out.
If you’re looking for more, check out these posts:
- 49 Ideas To Glow Up Inside And Out
- 9 Powerful Daily Habits For Productivity
- 9 Free Apps Every Online Student Needs In 2021
Which de-stressor are you going to try?
