6 Easy Ways to De-stress at School

Lila Joffe ‘21, Lifestyle Editor

As a current sophomore, I’ve been yanked out of the tolerable stress of freshman year, and my current teachers have pushed me into the deep end of breakdowns. I am a stressed person; most of my friends claim this is one of my most prominent qualities. As a high-strung person that is always trying to do well in school (and sometimes failing to do so), here are some tactics that I have picked up over the years to help myself (and hopefully you, too) to de-stress.

1. Talk to someone about it

Although this is a cliché, it’s so important to tell someone why you are feeling distressed. Whether it’s a friend, parent, teacher, stranger, or even a therapist, make sure it’s someone who cares about your mental health. Your confidante will probably console you and give you a pep talk, which is always very helpful. After letting it all out, you will feel as though a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

2. Listen to some music

If you have just received a bad grade on a test, had a disciplinary meeting with the dean, or been embarrassed in front of your class, sometimes you feel alone. Something that really helps is pulling out a pair of earbuds and listening to your favorite songs, whether it is emo music or pop. After listening to 2 songs you will probably feel a bit better and your day won’t seem as bad.

3. Get ahead on your work

If you are solely stressed out about tests and homework, instead of complaining the best thing to do is to simply get ahead or catch up on missed assignments. Even if it is just one history reading, or an English essay revision, doing it a day before it’s due will make you feel accomplished. If you need to study, then stay up half an hour more to look over vocab words or wake up earlier to write a practice essay. This way, when you get to school the next day, you’ll feel ahead of schedule and you’ll know the material better.

4. Cry

This seems really depressing, but it seriously works. Counter intuitively crying reduces tension! Studies show that crying releases stress hormones and toxins in the body. It is best not to break down in a class, but bathroom stalls are infamous breakdown locations.

5. Hang out with friends

Sometimes the best remedy for stress is laughter. Go see a movie with a couple friends, talk to them during a free bell, or even just eat lunch with new people. Making small changes like this can make a big difference in stress levels.

6. Take a break from your phone

Constantly looking at social media is sure to induce stress for most high-schoolers. Even if it’s only for an hour, turning off your phone and swapping it for a book or a show will relieve some pressure. During exam seasons, which are infamous for stress and breakdowns, I always shut off my phone for the whole week.