Top Ten De-stressors for the end of the Year

Tests, term papers and late night study sessions probably have you at an all time low. The end of the semester is getting closer, and that means the stress monster is out to get you. There is no better time than a few weeks before finals to find something to help you de-stress from the homework blues. Here are the top ten things for a good de-stressing!

Study Outside

Since it is getting to be a little cooler outside is the perfect time to find a new study spot! Sitting outside will give you a change of scenery that is much better sitting in your stuffy dorm room. The fresh air will also help you think better!

Hold a Movie Marathon

Take a day off from your studies and have a movie marathon with some friends. Re-watch a series or watch some new movies that you have never seen before. It may not be productive but it will help get your mind off your homework and tests, at least for a few hours. Photo: Getty Images

Take A Class

Take a class that just seems interesting to you. Many schools and clubs offer small courses that give students the opportunity to learn new skills or just reapply old ones. Yoga, beading, music, dance and spiritual classes are just a few of the many things you could do.

Play a Game

Have a board game night or have a game fest and challenge your friends to Guitar Hero, Halo or Mario Kart. Just make sure that you don’t get yourself lost in the games for days A few hours will do and then you can tackle those pesky assignments.

Go for a long walk

Use some extra time to go outside in the beautiful weather and just walk. Plug in some tunes or let nature be your music as you use the time to meditate and think about whatever. Photo: Getty Images

Bake Cookies

I am not really sure why, but baking is really helpful when trying to relieve stress. Maybe it is the reminder of home or the comfort and warmth of the kitchen. I have a friend who bakes all the time, for fun and so she doesn’t have to think about the rest of her stressors. Go ahead and try it, just don’t eat all those sweet treats you make!

Go on an adventure

Gather a group of friends and go on an adventure of your own making. Make a fun photo scavenger hunt or go bowling. See how many people you can get to play freeze tag in the park or find the coolest graffiti in your neighborhood and take pictures. There are so many options you are sure to find something you will enjoy and something that will keep your mind off homework.

Make funny faces

My roommate and I made funny faces at each other for about twenty minutes the other night. We were laughing so hard that we forgot what we were doing in the first place! Laughter has been said to be the best medicine and it really is! There is no better cure from the midterm and finals blues than a good laughing fit with friends!

Read a Book

Or re-read an old favorite. There may not be many chances for you to read a fun novel just for enjoyment because of all the other books you should be reading for classes, but when you have a little bit of free time use some of it to sit down in your favorites spot and just let your imagination go wild. It is just another great way to forget that stressful term paper. Photo: Getty Images

Find a New Hobby

Convert some of your new, or old, stress into a new hobby. Draw, paint, collect stamps, go bike riding or even learn how to do a back flip. Just do something that you will enjoy that isn’t studying. There are hundreds of things out there for you enjoyment so go out there and find it!