Ways to Keep Stress at Bay

1. Remember to breathe: Even though everything is piling up and there is lots of work to be done, you can never forget to relax. So go ahead: take a deep breath and let it out – slowly.

2. Have some “me-time”: Just as you schedule your classes, also schedule some time to just do whatever you want. Whether you’re reading, watching a movie or meditating, make sure you take some time for you.

3. Talk to someone: Eastern is not a vacuum, so talk about your worries to your professors, friends, resident assistants and chaplains. And, of course, God is always around to help us in those stressful moments.

4. Stay organized: Keep track of all your assignments in a notebook by taking one to each class and writing down all upcoming assignments. Just knowing when everything is due helps relieve some of the worrying about them.

5. Exercise: Not only is exercising a common way to stay stress-free, it is also a great way to stay healthy and sane. So mosey on over to the weight room and work out a little, or maybe take a hike around campus.

6. Broaden your horizons: Learn to do something different, like crocheting, playing guitar or doing origami. You never know – that new activity might become your favorite hobby.

7. Smell the roses: Take some time to just walk around and enjoy our beautiful campus. If you are feeling brave, you can step off the paths and explore the woods–just watch out for deer and other woodland critters.

8. Be involved: Know those hall activities you never have time to go to? Well, go to one. You won’t be sorry to take some time to think about something other than school.

9. Get out of town: Hang out at King of Prussia with some friends, take the train to Philadelphia for the day or just go to Wayne for some coffee at the Gryphon. It is amazing what a change of scenery can do for a person’s outlook on life.

10. Avoid distractions: Sorry to break it to you, but there are times when you really have to buckle down and do that work that you’re stressing about in the first place.