How I did it: In college, I have always been running around, and filling up any empty moments in my schedule with activity. I also always stressed out. I found a balance by cutting down on some of my activities, and making sure I made time for things that I valued. I would often feel very guilty, but I realized that I had to ignore this feeling for a little while and not stress out as much. I did it as much for my sanity as my health because I think that striking a balance and not stressing adds years to one's life.

Lessons & tips: -Cut out any activities that you do not absolutely love. Make sure that each day, you have a little while to just sit, breath, and do something that you enjoy doing.

-Get your work done during the week and relax all weekend. Or if you'd rather, work hard on weekend mornings, so that during the week you can have a few hours to yourself during the evenings.

-Put things in perspective. Rather than stressing about an school or work assignment, think about what it all means in the grand scheme of things. Also think about whether or not your stressing and panicking is productive. Likely it is not, and your work will get done regardless of if you are freaking out.

-Make time to eat. Don't eat and do work, or eat and walk, or eat and watch tv. Just focus on the food, how it tastes, etc.

-Breathe.

Resources: -I went to a counselor during the first month of the semester for two sessions to discuss some things that had been worrying me. We also discussed relaxation techniques and methods.

Progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and meditation were all methods we spoke about, and they can be found on the website below.
http://www.internalchange.com/tools/relaxation.html

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Jan 15, 2009, 11:15PM PST | 0 comments | 14 cheers