Coping with college stressors
October 11, 2012
Managing a hectic lifestyle is nothing new for a single mom, but dealing with the rigors of college could throw anyone off their game. Maintaining a college scholarship requires composure and presence of mind, so getting overwhelmed won't work for those who want to be successful.
Here are a few good ways to relieve stress that won't interfere with regular daily schedules and can help overall quality of life:
•Get plenty of exercise. This helps improve overall wellness, produces plenty of endorphins and helps take away the stresses of the day. Moms can focus on just running, yoga, general aerobics, biking, hiking or any other physical activity they enjoy. These activities can be done in groups, so bonding with kids or meeting new people is easy. Joining a gym also isn't necessary - plenty of local running and walking groups are available in many communities.
•Have a cup of tea. Not everyone will opt for a cup of tea in the morning, preferring coffee, milk or water, but this beverage has been shown by researchers at the University College London to increase a person's ability to cope with regular stress. Three varieties of tea are specifically good at relieving tension: Ginseng, passionflower and ashwagandha.
•Do some housework. This is a great way of feeling better about a space overall, as a clean home is a happy home. People who are at ease in a place get less stressed out, and as cleaning counts as physical exercise, there is the added benefit of more endorphin release. Some people turn cleaning into a ritual, taking care of the chores as a way of getting rid of all the rest of the day's thoughts and starting with a blank slate with which to approach studying.
•Make something. Regardless of how crafty a person is, the simple act of making something can be a mood booster. There is the distraction of regimented activity followed by the immediate payoff of results. Unlike the rest of a day's work which may not produce a tangible symbol of all the energy expended, creating something new can be relaxing. Baking, cooking, sewing, sculpting, drawing or working on a car, whatever way a person best uses his or her hands can be a stress reliever at the end of a long day.
