Five Simple Ways to Manage Stress

From college planning to the upcoming school day SAT and AP Exams, Greenwich High School Juniors are extremely stressed. It can be challenging to find ways to mitigate stress levels within a busy schedule, so here are a five ways to help students relax and relieve stress:

1. Exercise:

Exercise produces endorphins, chemicals in the brain, which reduces stress and acts as natural pain killers (Purdue Global). 

How to Implement Exercise In Your Daily Schedule:

1. Take walks or run around your neighborhood everyday before starting homework

2. Try a Yoga class or video online

3. Go to the gym after school or use the fitness center at GHS

2. Eat a Healthy Diet:

Eating healthily produces serotonin, a mood-boosting chemical in the brain (Clinica). 

How to Eating Healthily Everyday:

1. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

2. Eat lots of whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice

3. Drink black tea: black tea reduces cortisol levels which reduces stress

4. Drink less coffee: unlike black tea, coffee increases cortisol levels which can increase stress 

3. Sleep More:

This can be challenging for GHS students due to busy extra curricular schedules and many hours of homework. However, getting more sleep decreases cortisol levels which reduces stress (Clinica).

How to Increase Sleep:

1. Go to sleep right after finishing your homework and extra curricular activities. Don’t stay up on your phone.

2. Limit caffeine intake 6-8 hours before going to bed.

4. Meditate:

Meditation decreases cortisol levels and physically shrinks the amygdala, the brain’s fear center (National Institutes of Health). Meditation is easy to incorporate daily as there are many five minute meditation exercises. 

Types of Short Meditation (Mayo Clinic):

1. Mantra Meditation: Repetition of a calming word, thought, or phrase. 

2. Mindfulness Meditation: Being more aware of the present.

3. Qigong: A combination of meditation, movement, and breathing exercises.

4. Tai Chi: A gentle form of Chinese Martial Arts involving a series of postures, movements, and deep breathing.

5. Hang Out With Friends:

Making time to hang out with friends, even for a short amount of time, decreases stress. Positive social interactions release endorphins and lower cortisol, increasing happiness and reducing stress (Mayo Clinic). 

Ways to Spend Time With Friends When You Have a Busy Schedule:

1. Study together at the library

2. Have lunch or dinner together

3. Go to the movie theater