As students return to a normal schedule, the stress that comes with it can be overwhelming. From having three classes a day to six, with sports, clubs, and other activities starting up again, feelings of stress can quickly build up. When these feelings occur, it is very easy to spiral down a path that gets you nowhere. Here are some tricks you can do to reduce the feeling of stress. 

One thing at a time  

One of the best ways to help stay calm when you’re feeling overwhelmed is to try and focus on one thing at a time. When you have a million different things you have to get done, it is easy to try and get them all done at the same time or just procrastinate by stressing about everything. So make a list of everything you have to do, and just focus on one thing on the list at a time. When you have completed one thing, cross it off, and move on to the next item. 

Self care 

Remember to take care of yourself even when you feel as if it is not important. You can not do anything productive if you do not feel well. You will be more productive if you walk away from what you are doing, take care of yourself, and then come back, rather than continuing and not making much progress. Some examples of self care are taking a bath or shower, listening to music, reading a book, and watching a show or movie; self care is anything that is enjoyable to you and takes your mind off what you are doing. Another act of self care to try is mindfulness. Mindfulness is sitting or laying down and just focusing on your breathing; as you breathe out, you let go of the stress that you are holding onto. 

Grounding techniques 

Grounding techniques are approaches to calming yourself down when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. These techniques help bring you back to your current environment and make you feel calmer so you are able to think with a clearer mind, and then continue on with what you need to get done.

Finding the rainbow: In your surroundings try and find each color of the rainbow with different objects around the room, continue doing it with different items till you feel calmer and more in control. 

Five senses: Find five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell, and one thing that you can taste. Again continue till you feel calmer.  

Stay off your phone 

Phones can be one of the biggest contributors to stress, even if you do not realize it. There are many benefits to phones, but most of the time being on social media, texting people back and forth, and a number of other things can cause stress. It is sometimes best to keep your phone in a different room so you do not get distracted by anything and are not worried about it. Not being on your phone before bed will help to increase better sleep. 

Others are here to help

Even if you feel stressed and overwhelmed, remember that other people are willing to help. Whether it be ranting to a friend or asking that friend for help, they are there to support you. Your teachers are here to support and help you (even if it feels like they are the cause of all these problems). Lastly, here we have a whole room dedicated to help with stress. The Mindfulness Room is always open, and Lindsay Taylor, Perry’s social worker, is always willing to help you destress by giving you tips or just a quiet place to think and collect your thoughts.