Three Tips for a Stress Free Second Semester
Second semester of college can be very challenging since winter has a way of increasing the stress levels of students. The combination of lack of exercise, stuck indoors and limited natural light exposure can all equal to the winter blues. Hajii Otto, The Chill Out Guru™, constantly has students telling him that second semester can be very depressing, and that they find it difficult to keep up the mental motivation to study. Hajii’s solution is to get your body moving and shaking into action.
Here are three simple Chill Out Actions that Hajii recommends to students and staff for a rejuvenating second semester:
Chill Out Action 1: Get out in nature
Your brain needs natural sunlight for physical, mental and emotional health. You only need a few minutes of sunlight to feel the emotional and mental freedom of relaxation from the outdoors. Each day, spend 15 to 30 minutes of “outdoor time.” Experience what it feels like to be outdoors: feel the warmth of the sun on your face, smell the air, listen to your environment and breathe in the fresh air. Remember to protect your skin and eyes with the proper sun protection, and be in a safe place. Finding time to go outside to study, eat lunch, talk with friends or chill out in the sun, will help melt the stress away.
Chill Out Action 2: Get physically active
Make an appointment with yourself to get your heart pumping. Do some type of cardiovascular workout that keeps your heart at a steady rate for 12 to 20 minutes. Make it simple. You can do anything from walking, jogging, rowing, spinning, swimming, dancing or running. Get your feel good endorphins kicked into your body and flush out all the bad stress hormones. Experiment with other types of indoor exercises like yoga, tai chi, martial arts, volleyball or tennis—you will workout your frustrations and sleep better, too.
Chill Out Action 3: Get reconnected with friends and family
College students often have full schedules and neglect time to reconnect with close friends and family. They might have a dozen acquaintances, but there’s nothing like getting into deep discussions from people that seriously connect with you. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just make plans for a quick coffee, lunch or dinner. You’ll feel better knowing that someone understands you, and don’t be afraid to contact campus health services if you feel overwhelmed with stress. Sometimes it’s just healing to know you have someone you can privately express your thoughts and feelings. Remember, Facebook is never a replacement for a good conversation.
For Hajii, one of his favorite ways to relieve stress is by going to the theatre to get lost in the world of Hollywood.
“It’s a great way to get submerged in another world and not think about stressful events in my life. At the end of the movie, my mind is free to see a different perspective of my daily events. Take time to watch a movie in a theater because it’s an investment in your mental-emotional health,” said Hajii.
Hajii’s keynote, Master Sress 101: Live, Love and Celebrate Your College Journey, is packed with strategies to help keep your students stress free by ditching the drama of college life. Visit campuspeak.com/otto to learn more about Hajii and his available keynote.
RSS
CAMPUSPEAK Home