5 Simple Stress-Busters for Busy Students

Despite the challenge of balancing work, school and other obligations, coping with stress is feasible. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that fun ends after your undergraduate career. Simple activities prove that fun doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Here are five ways to indulge in the simpler side of life during exam crams, paper writing, or whenever you need to take a break.

1. Baking/Cooking: Since we all need to eat and buying takeout takes its toll on your wallet, cooking is a necessary activity that doubles as a stress-reliever. Consider websites that offer recipes for cheap eats like Cheapcooking.com, or blogs for students; I found a plethora of cheap recipes through one blog post on Onlinecollege.org. After trying a few of these, you might feel inspired to experiment with some original recipes—and creativity is always an effective stress-buster.
2. Watching a movie or TV show: If you typically work to the point of exhaustion, it doesn’t hurt to occasionally veg out in front of your TV or computer; it actually might benefit your performance to give your brain a rest so you can return to work refreshed. If you can’t abandon your Type A personality, consider incorporating a movie or TV break into your mealtimes. Enjoying dinner and a movie (or a snack and a show, if you’re pressed for time) won’t make you feel guilty since we all need to eat at some point. My friends often sing the praises of Netflix, but if you’d rather not commit to a membership, Hulu.com offers a reasonable selection of movies and TV shows that play with limited commercial interruption.
3. Jogging/Walking: Sometimes the best way to clear your head is to step away from your computer or textbook. If the words you’re reading don’t make sense anymore, you’re better off going outside for some fresh air. Even a brief walk around the neighborhood gives you the chance to stretch and take in different scenery, without tearing you from work for too long. If you’re eager to get back into running, or you feel like too much of your time has been spent indoors lately, search for a nearby park on The U.S. National Park Service's "Find a Park" page.
4. Meeting at local dives: You must make sacrifices as a graduate student, but your social life should not be one of them. Make a point to look for divey-looking (but safe) places the next time you’re out, and then check them out with friends. While enjoying a cheap drink or meal, this can be an opportunity to vent about whatever has got you stressed—always healthier than keeping it inside.
5. Reading: Reading a book, magazine, blog, or any publication that interests you provides a break while keeping your mind active, which means you won’t lose momentum when you return to work. I suggest finding something completely different from your required reading for stimulation.