We can all agree that this year has taken a turn for the worse. We constantly stress about things going on around us. Tests, projects, common apps for some of us, and social lives. Not to mention the presidential debate and pandemic looming over our heads. 43% of students have had their stress levels increase over the past year according to the APA. With so many stressors affecting our lives, I would like to share these 5 tips I use daily to help deal with stress.

1. Meditation– Meditation is something I do daily. It lets me reflect on the day or plan the day out. It clears my mind and allows me to live in the present moment. On the days I do not meditate, I feel lost and unprepared. DisturbMeNot!, a company specializing in sleep, has reported that meditation decreases anxiety levels 60% of the time, and 45% of school suspensions were reduced in one school due to meditation. For beginners, I recommend listening to this guided meditation video on Youtube.
2. Alone time- Friends, family, and co-workers can cause a lot of stress and social anxiety. Alone time is a great way to relieve that stress. Recharging your social batteries is critical to being at your best in social situations later on. During this time you can also practice other self-therapy tips.
3. Hobbies. This is more of a broad tip but it depends on the person and their interests. For me, it is playing video games but for others, it could be art or playing an instrument, but it’s all the same to them. It’s a hobby, an activity that can pass the time for someone and relieve them of their stress by diverting focus from the stressors in one’s life. 
4. Exercise– This is a time when you can listen to the music you choose and not worry about anything other than how you are going to get the next rep or the next mile in. After your workout, you will feel rejuvenated and confident. Even walks are a great way to relieve stress, taking 15-20 minutes out of your day to go outside. 
5. Cleaning– We all get that satisfying and accomplished feeling when cleaning out your room. It’s something that can also be seen as a therapy method. Whether it’s your room, car, or even the whole house just turn on your favorite playlist and get cleaning! If you are lucky enough, you might even find some old treasures such as old family photos, forgotten jewelry, or even 20 bucks in your throw away drawer. Being organized is also a great way to avoid stress. By knowing where everything is and not being overwhelmed. 

I urge you to try at least one of these tips daily. It’s important to look after your mental health. Send this to a friend, check up on them, and look after each other.

https://disturbmenot.co/meditation-statistics/

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental-health-crisis.pdf