How to Deal With Stress

Being a College student, dealing with stress is definitely a problem I always encounter. Whether you're a College student like me, or it's your job, or being a parent, stress can get the best of you. But we all should learn how to deal with it, at least knowing how to reduce it. Being stress-free not only makes your life a whole lot easier, but you feel more confident, happy, and positive about your yourself. So, instead of naming the obvious and predictable ways people can reduce stress (ex. "making the right choice" or "set goals for yourself"), I decided to list more practical things you can do truly help reduce stress.

1) Listen to music. Whenever I plug in my iPod (commuting to and from school, or laying in bed before I sleep), it's a time when I get to be in my own world. A time when I can just enjoy the music and let loose. Sometimes I can actually connect to the meanings behind songs and that helps me deal with stress.

2) Take a hot bath or shower. This is something that definitely helps relieve stress. Taking a nice, long hot bath or shower deeply relaxes me. It can allow you to just put aside all your worries for a bit and enjoy the time to yourself.

3) Take a break from the computer. I think I spend 80% of my day on a daily basis on the computer. I am in a Graphics Design program at school, so that always involves a computer. When I go to work, I have work to be done (again, using a computer). And even when I am on my free time browsing Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter, etc - again, I am also on the computer! Sometimes I find it relaxing to just take a step back and get away from a computer. By watching TV, cleaning up my room, or cooking!

4) Bake something scrumptious. From time to time, I find that baking helps take my minds off things. For me, it's quite fun to bake, especially when you're doing it with your friend, your little sister, or your partner! Making cupcakes or cookies is fun work, and you definitely know you are getting a scrumptious reward at the end.

5) Get some fresh air. If you have a dog to walk, this is a perfect thing to do. Or why not go out for a quick run? Jogging around the block or just taking a nice walk will help you enjoy the atmosphere of nature, instead of being indoors at your job or school all the time.

6) Get active, play a sport! Whether it be basketball, volleyball or floor hockey, playing a sport is really fun with or without people, or whether you're good at or or not! It helps take your mind off stress and the time flies by! It's fun competition.

Remember that Victory offers drop-in Volleyball everyday, which is a perfect hobby and way to deal with stress. If you're a teenager dealing with high school stress, no worries we also offer free teen drop-in every Friday!

- Vanida Lim