It's that time of year where exams are almost upon us, emotions are running high and everybody is getting their knickers in a twist over the most petty of things. Yes, it is a stressful-suppose-to-be-revising-instead-of-blogging month, however there are some things to look forward to after exams - like the summer! You know, I read a very interesting article on facebook that apparently the UK is going to be hit with a mega 3-month-lasting heatwave - and it was on Facebook so that has to be reliable!
1. Time to yourself is key
If there's one valuable thing I can take away from two pointless years of Spiritual Journey, it's that many people do not have enough alone time - and this doesn't mean time to be lonely sat in your room, bored. The definition of alone time is having time to yourself to recap and think, to organise your thoughts and ideas and even your revision schedule. You can do this by not sitting in your room, staring at a blank wall (this will more than likely get you even more down in the dumps!) but perhaps taking a long walk with your headphones in, go some place new and explore. For those of you lucky enough to drive, journey somewhere out of town - my favourite places are Yate and Weston, but unfortunately for me, I haven't had the money to learn how to drive (nor the desire) so I bus it. Time on your own gives you time to reflect and even understand yourself a little more than you once did. I used to be an all-time worrier, and still can be, but taking time to relax and ponder makes me realise why I retaliated to some situations the way I did and actually gives my god-forsaken worrying mind time to relax and just - chill.
2. Do something you enjoy and takes your mind off things
Don't be shy - this can be anything: from your guilty pleasure to your achievements. Personally, I enjoy picking up a book I haven't read in a while, playing on my 3DS (Zelda really does calm me down!) or plan some sort of mastermind story (that I never get round to finishing, let alone even writing!). Doing something you enjoy once in a while will boost your mood by a whopping 70% (I'm kidding - that statistic is made up, but doing something you enjoy does relax you an awful lot, I find!) If you find coursework is making your head throb, there isn't any harm in taking time out and doing something to reward yourself. It'll probe you to keep going and give you a new way of looking at your work - just don't enjoy yourself for so long that the textbook is sort of left there half-forgotten, or that bit of coursework that should have been in a long time ago left on your desk...I really shouldn't be doing this blog post, should I? *Dies a little inside*
3. Exercise!!!!!!
In the last two paragraphs, I have mentioned walking - and that's because walking is one of my de-stressers. Honestly, I don't have an obsession over it, but after a long walk I feel refreshed and I even feel a lot better about my body image. It doesn't have to be walking: some people benefit more from cycling, playing a game of football (urgh) or even hula hooping - Yes, that's a thing!!
You don't have to join a gym to have to get fitter, there are plenty of ways of doing it and doing it daily will really boost your self esteem, in turn making you feel a whole lot happier!
4. Don't be a hermit
Go out! Have fun! When was the last time you actually went on a daytrip with your best friend? Or enjoyed a pizza with the squad?? Humans are
very sociable beings - much like guinea pigs (if you don't believe me, click
here and look at tip two!) and if we're on our own for too long, we can go insane. And that's not even me making this up - ever feel a little extra crazy after two days in on the weekend?
Socialising with people will make you realise that people do have an interest in your opinions, your hobbies and may even share your interests. If you feel your friends aren't making you happier, then it's time to shop for some new ones. The whole point of the word friendship is someone who enhances you and makes you feel good about yourself. We've all had some really utterly rubbish friends at some point, but the way to get past it is to hang out with someone else for a while. How about that nice girl you sit by in English who shares the same interest in Harry Potter as you?
5. Do not compare yourself to others
This is the biggest deflater everrrrrrr and we all do it! Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we compare our bodies, our general appearance, our personality to others? I do it an awful lot, and one of my best friend's Abi hates it. When loads of people notice someone around you, it is really hard not to feel a hint of envy towards them, but don't turn bitter; there's plenty you strive in that they don't and to be honest - that's just life. In the wise words of my History bud Ginny: 'People are going to be prettier and better than you, you're just going to have to get over it.' Wise words Ginerva, wise words.
