COVID-friendly ways to destress before finals

The end of the semester is almost here! That means you’re close to holiday breaks, celebrating the new year, and professors that push you harder than ever.  As the march towards finals begins, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of work that you need to do, or get super stressed out from studying. Here are some quick tips to stay stress-free as you finish your courses. 

Try mindful meditation

When you hear the word “meditation”, you might think of the Tibetian monks who sit in silence for hours, or your cousin who can do every yoga pose backwards. However, you don’t need to be an expert in standing still or be super flexible to meditate. Meditation is just taking a step back to focus your thoughts and return to the present. To start, try taking a few moments to close your eyes and breathe deeply, listening to the sounds around you. By the time you finish, you’ll might feel the difference in your body and mind. If you’re looking for guided meditation, Headspace has free collections for you to listen to, and if you really get into it, a discounted student plan as well. 

Get up and active

Exercise is proven to reduce stress. Thanks to the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller, you’ll get an uplift in your mood and better sleep. This means that by exercising, you’ll get through your days happier, and you’ll be able to reset with a good night’s rest, both critical for keeping your stress levels low. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity, but feel free to start small and work your way up. With apps like the Nike Training Club, countless YouTubers hosting home workouts, and even free (some virtual) workouts sponsored by your local rec center, you’ll be able to find a routine that feels good for you in no time.

Spend time with friends and family

Taking a mental health day to go hang out with your besties is not only a valid way to reduce stress, it’s also scientifically proven. Hanging out with friends and family can increase dopamine, oxytocin, endorphins, and other chemicals that regulate happiness and stress. You could FaceTime with a friend and play Among Us, have a virtual movie night, or hang out at the park. Even calling a friend can be a great study break - and in 2020, you definitely need it.

Soak up some vitamin D

This can be difficult to find depending on where you live, but if you have access to sunshine, take full advantage of it. Not only will you be able to get more vitamin D (which is a common vitamin deficiency in the U.S.) you’ll also get a boost in serotonin, which helps to calm and stabilize your mood. If you can, just head outside for a bit and soak in the rays; otherwise, consider buying a sunlamp or taking vitamin D supplements to fight that seasonal depression. 

These are just a few ways to stay stress-free during finals season, but these methods are helpful year-round. Need a little extra cash to cover your new stress-free methods? Download Kora and get up to $2000 with KoraCash.

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