Stress Kills, So Only Consume It In Moderation: Like Alcohol Or... McDonald's

Dealing with stress and the post-holiday break blues? You are not alone. After a long and hectic holiday break over 70% America's college students are resuming the difficult balance of a work and school life. If your stress levels are at an all-time high, use these 10 tips to help you successfully excel in your professional and educational pursuits.

1. Avoid Procrastinating, Plan Ahead

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Buy yourself an agenda or calendar and write down all your events, to-dos, due dates, etc. This way you can better visualize what you have to do and plan accordingly.

2. Prioritize, Organize

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Make lists of what you need to get done in order of importance and priority. This will help your cluttered, tired mind organize tasks & if all else fails- the satisfaction in crossing a task off is SO rewarding.

3. Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Picasa / Via umassmed.edu Aherne, D., Farrant, K., Hickey, L., Hickey, E., McGrath, L., & McGrath, D. (2016). Mindfulness based stress reduction for medical students: optimising student satisfaction and engagement. BMC Medical Education, 16(1).

Programs like MBSR teach skills like mindfulness, reflection, shared experiences, and small group learning which helps reduce stress and anxiety. It also helps you increase your self-awareness and have a more positive outlook.

4. Aromatherapy at Work & Home

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Using essential oils for therapeutic benefit can work marvels by reducing stress in the workplace & at home. Added bonus: Aromatherapy helps to relieve tension headaches, helpful for those seemingly endless weeks.

5. Sleep like a baby

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Sleep like a baby. Studies show that your body needs more rest when stressed or anxious. So tap the snooze button a couple of times and get those Z’s in.

6. Stay Away from Alcohol and Caffeine- Don't be like Mr. Cuddlesworth!

The world runs on coffee, and in social settings, it runs on alcohol. If you’re stressed though, caffeine and alcohol worsen anxiety and provoke panic attacks. Instead, drink a soothing tea and go for a run.

7. Exercise Regularly

Exercising is a great way to relieve stress and balance school, work, and personal life. You get the added benefits of boosting your self-confidence, reducing your risk of chronic diseases and increasing your happiness.

8. Eat Right!

The right diet and nutrition can aid in reducing stress levels. Therefore, having a healthy diet and drinking the right beverages can help stabilize your emotional response to stress triggers.

9. Just Breathe baby!!

Make the time for a 5 minute break and focus on your breathing. Sit up straight, close your eyes and slowly inhale through your nose and exhale out your mouth. This breathing technique counters the effect of stress by slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure.

10. Reach Out And Call Someone

Take the time to talk to others. Your social network is a great tool to help you handle stress. Talking about is a great way to get a new perspective and also connect with some one else.