"My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations."
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Stress, particularly the stress faced by students, is a topic that we seem to hear a lot about. What I’ve notice is that although people talk about student stress, it is very rarely the students themselves that are being listened to. Rather we have news outlets and reporters, teacher and family member, who all believe that they know the best way to deal with the stress of the current education system, even though they haven’t experienced it.
Today I thought I would change that, and give you tips on how to cope with stress from a A Level student who faces this type of stress every single day.
Now I could give you the generic answers of plan out your time effectively, do your homework as soon as you get it, consolidate as you go; and other tips along those lines that we hear so often they don't even mean anything anymore and we've all tried countless times. So, instead, I’m going to tell you things that work for me.
1. Dance it Out.
Stress getting too much? Get up, put headphones on, connect your speakers, start blasting music and just go for it. Full out and unapologetic. Do the kind of dancing that would make your future kids cringe so much they spontaneously combust from embarrassment. Don't think about what you look like, just get out of your own head and do the most ridiculous dance moves you can think of. I'm not just saying this so you all start thinking about your parents dance moves and how embarrassing they can be at family gatherings, the point I'm trying to make is do something that completely changes your mindset. Something that takes over whatever your doing and gives you a sense of freedom. That doesn't actually have to be dancing, although I do enjoy a good 3am dance around my room, it just has to be something that allows you to lose yourself to happiness. Those moments of happiness in a sea of stress are what will be your life jacket, and they make you approach tasks with a fresh mindset.
2. Pamper Yourself
Have a nice bath, and I mean full out with bath bombs, bubble bars, candles, music - I'm slightly strange and find pop-punk possibly the most relaxing, but you do you. Read a book, snuggled up in a blanket with a cup of tea. Watch your favourite movie, even if that means watching a Christmas movie in May because exam season can make us do some interesting things. Spend an hour doing fun makeup or don't wear anything other than pajamas all day. Do whatever makes you feel the most relaxed and what you find fun. If that's belting out karaoke, maybe make sure your windows are closed unless your goal is to make your neighbours move. The idea is take some time for yourself where you don't have to answer to anyone, and where you specifically decide that there is no better use of your time than looking after yourself.
3. Scream
It might sound a little bit dramatic (but then again, what's life without a little drama?) but going outside, looking at the sky and literally just screaming with everything you have can be so therapeutic. Alternatively you could just scream into a pillow or cushion but I don't think that's as dramatic of an image. By screaming, it is an instant way to get out your stress from your body and place it into the world, without unloading everything onto the first unsuspecting person that you find in your house. Getting rid of the pent up energy that allows the stress sharks to circulate your brain at 100 miles per hour means that there is space for your thoughts to work together again, rather than quivering in fear.
(Just so I'm clear, as I am writing this I am replaying the song Scream from High School Musical 3. I feel like Troy Bolton definitely encapsulates the level of drama I expect here.)
4. Doggie Cuddles
It has been scientifically proven that stroking pets can help reduce stress levels. Does anyone else need a better excuse to go and find a dog to cuddle? In my experience, dogs are insanely intuitive to how you're feeling, so whenever I'm ill my dog will instantly be a lot calmer around me. Also, let's face it, it's impossible to be all glum, gloomy and wired on stress when faced with the overly joyous face of a doggo.
5. Journal
This is one of the things that might just helpful for me because I love to write, and writing makes me feel more in touch with who I am, but getting all of my stress out into a journal is one of the most therapeutic things I have found I can do. Literally having a notebook, not somewhere on your phone or laptop, that you know only you will see means you don't have to hold anything back. You don't even have to read it back if you don't want to. The whole point is that you can rant about everything you have to get done or think of the most random things that annoyed you just a little bit too much that day. It's a place where you can be entirely honest and discover things going on in your mind that you didn't even realise existed. Alternatively, you can cheer yourself up by remember all of the stupid yet hilarious decisions you have made in your life.
Now I know these aren't tips to help actually get work done when you're stress, but these are tips that I find make life a little bit less serious. It's so easy to get completely caught up in all the work you have to do, especially around deadlines and exam seasons, but remember that you still have a life outside of studying.
Sometimes you need to place yourself in the world before you chain yourself between the pages of textbooks.
Your stage is waiting.
Hollie x
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