A couple of days before a physics test, my friend Chacha'14 posted on Facebook asking how to deal with stress, and got a massive influx of suggestions. This is by no means a complete enumeration of activities that MIT students do to manage stress, so enjoy the brief lapse into generalizability.
- Inhale for 6 counts, hold for 6 counts, exhale for 6 counts, repeat.
- Take some free time, even when you feel like you can't afford it.
- Time management.
- Watch some funny videos.
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Play dress-up.
- Yoga.
- Commune with your deity/ies.
- Commune with your friends.
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Blast music. (or make music!)
The anonymous personage on the right did not wish to reveal his face to the interwebs.
I have replaced it with that of the guitarist's intrepid rainbow conure, Faraday. - Doodle.
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Run around like a crazy person. Climb trees. Race down the hallway. Go outside and feel the cold for 30 seconds.
photo cred: Ana Lyons '12 - Take the pistol PE class.
- When you're too tired to work, but have to work, take a 15-30 minute, 90-120 minute, or multiple of 90-120 minute nap -- whatever leaves you feeling the most refreshed. (Pro tip for recovering from sleep schedule hacks and/or insomnia: take a walk outside on a sunny morning to help reset your circadian rhythm.)
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Make and/or eat something delicious.
- Whenever nice small things happen, enjoy them.
- Look at pictures (or videos) of adorable animals.
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Nuzzle a cat's fuzzy tummy.
- Take at least one class every term that you absolutely love.
- Don't overwork yourself for A's that aren't worth it. (Sorry, premeds.)
- Remember that everyone else is just as confused as you are.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Greg P (15?) on March 4, 2011
Do you have a tumblr too??
Posted by: SR '15 on March 4, 2011
Dear my beloved homework, I am
Never gonna give you up,
Never gonna let you down,
Never gonna run around and desert you.
Indeed, I am
Never gonna make you cry,
Never gonna say goodbye,
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.
Posted by: I own a horse on March 4, 2011
Posted by: Banerjee on March 5, 2011
Posted by: Chacha on March 5, 2011
Woah!
Posted by: AnotherNoob on March 5, 2011
Not that I mind. Cats are cute! Go, cats!
Posted by: Kaul on March 5, 2011
Posted by: Sarabjot Anand on March 5, 2011
Posted by: Gaurav on March 5, 2011
Add dancing to the list. Any type of dancing works wonders on reducing stress levels. =] And I love #12 (random thought).
Posted by: Sadia '15? o_o on March 5, 2011
Secondly, I'd have to say electronic music. I never happened to even believe in the electronic beats working their magic against stress, until I tried the remedy myself. It was a night where I had tests with one big homework coming up and all I had was 6 hours to get them all sorted (normall they would take about 10, the tests were mid-terms actually and counted a lot). Despite all the panic, since I had to use the Internet for some research work, I happen to open YouTube side-by-side, and I came across the music of Justice. Even though the guys have only done 1 album so far, their music is a big "whoa".
Here's one their best hits from the album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThKNt-GY1ww
also this one is worth seeing (its another of their songs mashed-up for a video game mix) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLqOnv7tt9c
Other artists for me include DJ Shadow, Daft Punk, Amon Tobin, deadmau5, and Eric Prydz, go give these guys' music a check and see for yourself.
P.S -- Music removes any kinds of stress, including the one for decisions. So good luck to all of us.
Posted by: Murtaza Ali Khan on March 6, 2011
Another effective stress reducer is exercise. I always complain that time is of the essence and that I can't spare half an hour for a jog or bike ride. However, I find that I am considerably more productive after exercising. Running even 20-40 minutes a day helps me recharge and is a great study break. Actually, most of my ideas for essays and debates are generated while running (I feel like I think much faster when active).
And cats are just the best
Posted by: Natalie on March 6, 2011
Posted by: Alex S on March 6, 2011
Posted by: Shahriar on March 6, 2011
it was... pro
Posted by: 0 on March 6, 2011
I'd like to add to adorable animal pics/videos:
http://www.facebook.com/Boo?sk=photos
Posted by: thethinker on March 6, 2011
also these songs are worth mentioning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq72lrDRXpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32X-ieCav-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujLzS2aXDJs
Posted by: Murtaza Ali Khan on March 6, 2011
Posted by: A.D. on March 7, 2011
Posted by: sam on March 7, 2011
Posted by: rfong'12 on March 7, 2011
Posted by: Bernie on March 8, 2011
Posted by: rfong'12 on March 8, 2011
Posted by: Moshe Sharon on March 10, 2011
To draw attention to a similar phenomenon, allergies are also a wholly inappropriate response to benign triggers.
Posted by: rfong'12 on March 10, 2011
Comments have been closed.