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Showing posts from April, 2011
Quick 10 minute relaxation video.  You might feel a little unsure about listening to someone telling you to relax, but it will help when you're stressed.  Just give it a try! http://youtube/Xz-KDXWsepI   Or if you only have a few minutes, try watching  one of these videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYs5zyM9zk8   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRcdlZ87GVY&feature=relmfu
More stress relief tips! When you're in the middle of a stressful situation (e.g. studying for finals) you can use these tips to feel better. -Take a break from what you're working on and do something you enjoy- a hobby, watch TV, just sitting, etc.  Leaving the stress behind even if it's just for a little bit will make you feel a whole lot better. -Get some exercise!  Research shows that exercise is a great stress reliever.  You don't have to go to the gym- just do some jumping jacks or run in place for some quick and easy exercise or make it fun and play a group sport. -Get a good night's sleep.  Staying up all night and studying isn't going to pay off in the end most likely.  A decent sleep will let your body and mind rest, so you can be ready to conquer whatever tasks you need to do during the next day.  Not getting enough sleep is just going to engender more stress. -Laugh!  Can't get much simpler than that. -Deep breathing exercises and relaxation.
Okay. Let's get to the actual stuff that will help you!  I want to introduce a few quick and easy tricks to help you feel more relaxed over these last few weeks of the semester. Do you have a good attitude?  Is the glass half empty or half full? We tend to feel more stressed when we have a negative attitude about events/situations in our lives.  So, how can you improve your attitude?   Positive self-talk: Don't be so critical of yourself.  It might sound silly, but it is helpful to talk to yourself as if you were a small child- give yourself a break!  Don't tell yourself that you should have done better on that exam or I shouldn't have gone out last night.  There is almost always a more rational/positive thought to replace your critical thought.  For instance, take the thought "I shouldn't have gone out last night."  Could you instead say, "I needed a break, so I went out to relax for a few hours.  I will try to be productive today," ?  When y