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So I’ve been out of college for a little over a month now, and boy oh boy I forgot how good summer feels. Endless sunshine, fresh watermelon, long days, no tests or exams to worry about – the list goes on and on. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love college. But sometimes, I get really caught up in my schoolwork and forget to take some “me time” to recharge and refocus. Summer has really given me a fresh perspective on how nice it is to relax and let loose, so I’m showing y’all some easy ways that you retain that summer-esque feel and relax in college!
Earlier in my college years, I used to feel guilty for taking some “me time”. Every time I’d open up a tab for Netflix, a million different items from my never ending to-do list would run through my head. Instead of taking the time to focus on myself, I was always thinking about what I could be doing instead!
As the years have gone on, I’ve realized that taking personal time is just as important as doing work. I noticed that if I was constantly stressed and working 24/7, my quality of work and work ethic seriously decreased. By taking some much-needed time off, I was able to refocus my brain and come back to work stronger and happier.
Below are just a few of the ways that I relax in college – try them all and see how your mood and your motivation improve!
Light a Candle
Candles are one of the easiest ways to de-stress! You can find cute candles anywhere, but I always love the decorative ones from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Just make sure to check your dorm / apartment policy about open flames – no one wants to call the fire department because of a candle malfunction!
Get outside
Getting outside is especially easy to do in the fall when the weather is still a little bit warm! For me, getting outside means taking a nice run or setting up my hammock on the quad. I pretty much tell every incoming freshman that I meet to buy a hammock – I have a Neolite Double Camping Hammock from Amazon that I absolutely love.
It’s so much fun to sit in the sun and curl up with a good book or even just people watch and listen to music. There’s just something about the fresh air that puts me in a great mood!
Get Moving
When the weather gets a little chillier and you can’t go outside, you can still get your body moving! There’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned dance party with your roommates.
Put on some old classics, turn up your speakers, and HAVE FUN! I love dance parties because they get my heart beating but it doesn’t feel like exercise at all. Plus, it’s so much fun to discover all of those old songs that your middle-school self loved to belt out in the backseat of your mom’s car. Find my playlist of classic Disney Channel songs below.
Find that “space”
Sometimes, relaxing can be nothing more than finding a new space! Find a comfy couch in the library, that secret study room in your student union (they all have them!), or even a new corner of your favorite coffee shop.
Breaking from routine can really give you a new perspective and help your mind unwind from the stress of sitting in the same spot in the library every day!
Watch light-hearted Netflix
And no, I’m not giving you license to only watch Netflix and disregard all of your school work. What I am saying is that an episode of Friends is only 20 minutes. I like to take ~10 minute breaks for every hour that I study, so sometimes I’ll reward a good 2-hour *productive* study session with a good laugh session on Netflix.
I’ve definitely gotten weird stares in the library because I accidentally bust out laughing at my computer screen, which 1000% lets everyone know that I am indeed not doing my physical chemistry homework. But, oh well!
#TreatYoSelf.
If I’m in my room, I always grab a cup of tea (1 bag of Tazo Passion Herbal Tea
Having colorful nails always makes me feel like a #boss – if my nails look put-together, then my life can be put-together, too!
Take a nice long shower
At the end of a long day, one of my favorite things to do is take a super long, turn-into-a-prune shower. I’ve recently started using St. Ives Body Scrub on my legs before I shave and HOLY COW my legs look like they’re literally glowing. I’m definitely the friend that shoves my legs at my friends and shouts “FEEL THEM” because they’re just so freakin’ soft after I exfoliate.
Twice a week, I’ll also use a super thick TRESemme hair mask to nourish my tired locks that have been mercilessly shoved into a high pony tail all week.
Showers are also where I come up with my best blog content ideas, so I can pamper myself and the blog at the same time!
Win-win.
Buy that Ice Cream
That pint of Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream that’s been starting at you from the convenience store freezer all week? Buy it. That slice of pizza from the food court that’s been drawing you in with that garlic crust since last Wednesday? Get two slices.
You work so hard during the week, why not take a break with your favorite comfort food? It’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
So that’s it! That’s how I relax in college and ease some of the stress that comes with being a STEM major and just being an upperclassman in general. How do you (or did you) relax in college?
I think I might sign up for a yoga class next year – I like the idea of having a set time every week to clear my mind and recharge! What do you think? Drop a comment down below, and have a fantastic week!
