Fun ways to deal with stress

Deadlines for course work and revising for upcoming exams can be very stressful, but there are some great and fun ways to deal with stress.

One great way to cope is to have a day off for yourself. I find that when I’m being overwhelmed by all of life’s troubles, if I have a day where I do what I want to do, it’s a great time for me to clear my head, or take care of myself. The other great thing about clearing your head is that it allows you to go back to working with a fresh set of eyes.

So, what should you do for a day off?

Honestly, this is all down to you, just make sure you are doing something you love and don’t be afraid to spoil yourself a little bit. For me, a great way to have a day off is with a new Netflix series and some ice cream. Alternatively, I might go for a walk around the city. Going up to the cathedral can be very relaxing as it’s a scenic walk with some great views.

Set some small goals!

Another great way to deal with stress is to complete some small and achievable goals. Stress can often come from big and daunting tasks, so if you give yourself some small wins, I find it’s a great way to boost my mood. The best for me is totally tidying my room and maybe doing some redecorating. The advantage of this is that you have a cleaner and clearer space to work in, and you get that mood boost from knowing you’ve done something really productive and useful.

Get out more

There are also loads of green spaces around the city which can be great places to go and relax. My favourite place is around the back of the cathedral. There is a wonderful lawn that is usually nice and quiet with a great view of the cathedral from an angle most people don’t see. If you want somewhere larger then there is the Arboretum which is a short walk from the city centre. The Arboretum is a 19th-century, 22-acre park with 2 ponds, gardens, a small play area, and a Victorian bandstand. The views are great, and it is a wonderful place to go for a walk and clear your head.

Spend time with friends

The last idea I would recommend is to spend some time with friends doing something you all love. Whether it’s going for coffee, taking a day out to explore the city or staying in and watching films, spending time with friends is always a great way to deal with stress. When you are all together and having fun, is there anything more relaxing?

I think that the most important thing when dealing with stress is to make sure that you are dealing with it in a fun way that gives your brain some time to relax. Just remember that when you have given yourself some time off, make sure you get back to work soon. Relaxing to relieve stress is fine, just don’t start procrastinating!

For more advice for dealing with stress, check out this video:

This article is featured on Learning at Lincoln. 

Please note: This content was created prior to Coronavirus, and some things might be different due to current laws and restrictions. Please refer to the University of Lincoln for the latest information.