The Busy Girl's Guide: 4 Ways to Destress after Midterms

For the past week you’ve had your nose stuck in books upon books studying to ace those midterms. We all know the drill when it comes to making a study guide and notecards and rewriting papers before they get turned in. What they don’t teach at Elon is how to destress after the whirlwind of exam season. Keep reading to find a few of our favorite ways to relax after exams. 

Marie Kondo your living space

Once you’re not stuck in the library until the late hours of the night and have more free time, it’s the perfect time to feng shui your living space. By moving your bed, adding string lights, or even just doing the laundry that’s been sitting in your basket for a week, you can change the way you feel about where you sleep. This fresh start translates to your schoolwork too. Being more organized at home gives you the space to focus on studying without distractions. 

Re-evaluate your self-care routine

Stress from exams can cause flare-ups of acne, eczema, and can increase dehydration. Because your stress skin™ isn’t your normal skin, you might need to add or take away some of your skincare steps. More water is a must. Try adding a mask for relaxation, and make sure to moisturize with SPF. Really take some time to read the ingredients of the products that you love to make sure that they’re safe for you and for the environment. If you’re off campus for the weekend, find a bath to relax in with epsom salts and yummy candles. (This is also the best time to catch up on a Nicholas Sparks novel borrowed from your mom instead of the copy of Moby Dick that you dream about burning!)

Workout (peacefully)

If you workout regularly, now is a good time to put those 3-mile runs on pause and instead take a yoga class. After stressful periods of your life, you need to realign your body and mind. If you’re not much of a yogi, a good meditation session is great to work into your daily routine. Even if you don’t want to set aside some time to sit and be still, taking a walk in the chilly fall air without your phone is also a great way to let yourself take a breath. 

Just be alone!
Fall break is a perfect time to just be alone with yourself and do the things that make you happy. Recharge by making yourself a nice dinner, binge watching Parks and Rec, or sleeping in. Sleep schedules get messed up during the school year, and fall break is the perfect amount of time to improve your sleep habits. If you’re not a homebody, hang out with friends and plan fun things to do!

And, above all, call your mom!