These past few weeks have been full of stress! Unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse. It has been messing with my body and it’s driving me crazy, so today I want to discuss some of the ways that I de-stress and hopefully learn some other strategies from you guys! My main problem with trying to de-stress is trying to find the time to de-stress (and of course not being able to find time makes me even more stressed)! So here are a couple things that I do when I’m freeeeaking out about the craziness of grad school life!
Let’s be honest… Frazzled Meredith is NOT a good look.
1. GYM. This is kind of a no-brainer for me. Exercising is the best way to clear my mind and get a little break from the insanity. Unfortunately on days where I go straight from work to do hearing screenings or to study, then to class and home to make dinner, that leaves zero time to do anything in between. Like go to the gym. And going to the gym involves showering after so thats a big chunk of time in my day. So.. unfortunately.. this can’t be a daily occurrence as I’d like it to be.
2. Make lists. It helps me to get organized and layout exactly what I need to do. I have to-do lists all over the place and I love it! Unfortunately I spend so much time making lists that I don’t get around to what I should be doing. Oops.
I have one (or 5) in writing too.. don’t worry.
3. Don’t procrastinate. I know that if I put off work until later that it’ll just stress me out even more. So I do my best to get work done ahead of time and avoid stress altogether. (Way easier said than done!)
So I don’t have anything else to add. Clearly my de-stressing skills are limited – this wreaks havoc on my body and I have not been enjoying it these past few days/weeks. So please share some tips with me!!
What do you do to de-stress? Any quick de-stressing tips?
Running! It’s the one way that I was able to handle stress in college!! Good luck with that to-do list!
I make lists too! Some are to-do lists, and some are just lists of stuff that might be stressing me out at that moment. It’s nice to look at the stress lists a week later and see that most of those things aren’t even issues anymore!
And I love the stickie app
i use those same tactics! i’d possibly add one more tho… online shopping breaks
Great suggestions! I’m a crazy list-maker. There’s something calming about getting it all down on paper. And I love crossing things off!
I like to reward myself with something tiny with each task I cross off. Like 30 min of online shopping, or an extra piece of chocolate. But I usually stick to running or wine when I get stressed.
I definitely need some exercise in order to de-stress, but when I’m facing a pile of work, it’s really just a matter of tackling it head-on because I won’t feel better until it’s out of my life!
My former roommate, and Bestie, who is a SLP had to-do lists that looked JUST like that! You’ll make it out alive, and you’ll be a shining star! Say on top of it, you seem to be focused and have your A game down!
…..I call my sister to de-stress! 
I workout and eat yesbad combo!
I’d have to say yoga…or just a quick downward dog is you don’t have time for a full workout. I never make time to take a class, but I did this morning and it felt SO good.
When I was in college I learned that I had to study alone… with no distractions. I would go to the basement of the library where I didn’t get cell service. It was boring and lonely… but I got things done in half the time. To destress watch parts of a funny TV show. Divide it up and just watch in between 2 commercial break. It’ll give you something to look forward to between other activities.
As totally bizarre as it sounds, I think eating veggies helps me de-stress because it reminds me to NOURISH myself. I tend not to prioritize my eats when I am stressed, and that is the first way to kill your immune system! Even just having 5 minutes to sit down and eat REAL food helps!
I am pretty bad at destressing. I think I live in a constant state of stress…I know, heatlhy right!? However, when I try to destress, I like to take some time to myself and do something fun. For example, today, my mom and I are going to a pumpkin patch and out to lunch. I know I’ll have fun and stop worrying about all of the stuff that stresses me out…at least for a couple of hours!
So sorry your weeks have been so stressful!
Great tips though. I love the one about the gym. It is sooo true. I always feel better and more relaxed after a good workout.
When I need to de-stress I spend some time with the people I love- I’ll drive down to my hometown and spend the day with my fam. It works wonders!
Stress is so hard to manage just try the best you can. Stressing because your stress out just makes things worse.