Surviving Finals

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With finals approaching, the pressure to end the year off strong can get overwhelming. Amidst the chaos of making those deadlines, it’s important your mental and physical health don’t get overlooked. To help you get through these trying times, we’re giving you a few ways to start and finish finals season with a bang.

• Get active; move your body!

• Exercise releases endorphins, which improve your mood and help you decompress. Whether it be going for a quick run, doing some yoga, or even just taking a dance break in your room, give yourself some time to get active. So, put on your sneakers, head outside, and sweat out that stress when you find yourself feeling overburdened by those approaching deadlines. Your mind and body will appreciate it!

• Treat yourself

• While it is important to eat healthy and give your brain and body the nutrients it needs to succeed, indulging in that sweet treat you’ve been craving all week can be the perfect way to take the edge off of all that stress. Give yourself a break, you’ve been working hard. Make sure to fuel your body with what it needs, but also a bit of what it wants.

• Prioritize your sleep

• We’ve all been there; having to pull an all-nighter for that final that you procrastinated studying for with material you feel like you don’t know. While it might seem impossible to study everything you have to and get enough sleep at the same time, making sure your body and brain are rested is crucial during finals season to ensure that you can function and perform your best. Adequate rest allows your mind to consolidate information, enhance memory retention, and improve cognitive functions essential for exams.

• Make time for you

• Amidst the final frenzy, it's important to prioritize self-care and doing things that make you happy. It can be as simple as cracking open your favorite book and reading a few pages before bed or as extravagant as booking a spa day for yourself. Taking the time to prioritize your physical and mental health will make the finals season so much more bearable.

• Know your limits

• With all the stress that comes with finals, it's important to know your limits. Knowing when the pressure becomes too much and to take initiative in asking for help or taking a break is a great way to help yourself out. Recognizing when you need to take a step back from studying is a sign of strength, not weakness, whether you're having trouble managing stress or feel overwhelmed with all of your work. Never be afraid to reach out to friends or family for help, or especially your teachers and academic advisors - that's what they're there for! Remember, asking for help is an essential part of taking care of you and your mental health during such a stress inducing time.

Prioritizing your mental health and well being is key for a successful end to the year. These are just a few of the many ways you can make sure your mind and body are doing well during finals.

How do you like to de-stress from finals and clear your head?

Let us know @theedgemag on Instagram!