7 ways to feel good about this school year
- Move. Run, swim, dance (whatever you enjoy – the aim is NOT to train for the Olympics!). The Nagoskis note that movement is ‘your first line of attack in the battle against burnout’. 20-30 minutes a day is ideal, but anything is better than nothing!
- Social Interaction. Talking can help boost our mood and reassure us that the world is a safe place to live. Laughing together—and even just reminiscing about the times you’ve laughed together — increases relationship satisfaction.
- Connect with others. A twenty-second hug with someone you love has been shown to lower stress levels as much as exercise. And it doesn’t have to be physical affection – simply speaking to someone with whom you share a special connection can make a huge difference to how you feel.
- Breathe. Deep, slow breaths can help regulate the stress response. For a simple, practical exercise you can try this: Breathe in for a slow count of four. Hold that breath for seven. Exhale for a slow count of eight. Pause for another count of four. Repeat this process till you feel calm.
- Sleep. It can be difficult to sleep when we are feeling stressed. But getting a full, uninterrupted night’s sleep wherever possible can be a great tool in the fight against stress.
- Cry. There is no shame in crying, it’s a positive way of allowing your feelings to come to the surface. Crying may not change the situation that caused the stress, but allowing yourself to cry after a stressful event is proven to help by releasing feel-good hormones. It can help you relieve physical as well as emotional difficulties.
- Engage in something creative. Engaging in a creative activity you enjoy today – whether it be music, art or sport has been shown to lead to more energy, excitement, and enthusiasm tomorrow.
Useful questions to ask yourself are:
Am I checking in with myself to see how I feel on a scale of 1-10?
Do I have easy access to the coping strategies listed above?
Am I making use of these tactics?