Seven Ways to Decrease Stress During a Busy Semester

by Dulce Carrillo

Everyone goes through stressful events in their life, but many don’t know how to deal with it. It’s important to understand that when we have been under severe stress for too long, our minds, bodies and relationships can become overwhelmed.


Sometimes stress can lead to what can be thought of as an injured mind, and can even lead to anxiety, depression and relationship problems. (If you or a CSULB peer is experiencing depression, visit CAPS, CSULB Student Counseling and Psychological Services.)

Here are seven ways to decrease and control the stress before it rises up:

One- Distract your mind for a few hours: Go for a walk around the neighborhood or play classical music. It is important to take a time out of your daily routine and do something that relaxes you. It will give your brain a breather too.


Two- Talk to a friend or family member: Sometimes we can feel alone and lead for increasement of stress. Reach out to someone close to you and vent. Being able to vent, releases the toxic inside your body that you held inside.


Three- Exercise or play sports: It’s important to keep the body active. Go to the gym or join a team at the recreational center here at school. Work out for 30 minutes of moderate activity three times per week. Usually when I go to the gym, I try workouts classes like cycling. I will admit, it’s difficult to participate in new things but at the end, it’s an accomplishment. It’s a motivation not only to continuous work out activity but getting away from your comfort zone.


Four- Engage in a hobby: From sewing to collecting bottle caps or even going on hikes, giving yourself some “me time” is important. You get to meet people with the same interest and create memorable stories for yourself.


Five- Think of a plan to solve a problem: Nobody knows you better than yourself. Find solutions about the problems you are facing. Work around them. For example, create a calendar. If you don't want to miss an episode on Netflix, balance the time of the show with essays, projects and studying. Fit one episode when you're tired of typing on the computer. It feels much better when things are done and less worries on your shoulder as you enjoy your show.


Six- Maintain a healthy diet: Nobody wants to leave out the caffeine and the sugary foods, especially since it looks good on a busy day at school. You can drink your coffee but limit the use of sugars. It takes more than one day to be able to set the mind with all the delicious food and snacks that surround us. But it will take one step to make a change. Begin with adding vegetables to your meals and carrying to go snacks ( to avoid the dollar with change hot cheetos). The change of eating healthy will keep more money on your pocket.


And lucky number seven- Be grateful for another day of life. Appreciate for the people that exist in your life, for working (even if it’s a job you don't like), having food on the table and for being able to provide for yourself. Remember to take the time to say thank you. Include telling a coworker, your family members, a friend and those people that you meet how you feel. Even your classmates that you ask questions about the assignments you forgot to write down. It’s important to say what you feel at the moment than to wait for the “perfect time”. It can be hard, but it is possible.