It’s midterm week again at North-western, where time with your head in a book is plentiful and relaxation time is sparse. It’s one of those weeks when you absolutely relish those few minutes you have between classes and where you feel a literal weight being lifted after handing in your paper. With my planner overflowing with endless midterms, meetings and deadlines for weeks now, I’m in definite need of a stress relief intervention. Which is why, for a recent three-day stretch, I was on a strict anxiety-free regimen, in which I sampled four time-tried tricks for stress relief.
Day 1: Meditation & Music
On Monday, I had to take it easy at the start of my relaxation boot camp; I knew I was not ready to be rushed into daily Bikram Yoga and copious amounts of comfort food right at the outset. I began with meditation in the morning, which-believe it or not-I actually dabbled in a bit in high school. I sat up straight, extending my spine and focusing on the rhythmic pulse of my breathing. In high school, I was semi-successful at clearing my mind of the day’s tasks while sitting cross-legged during meditation. But all I could focus on now was the list of lists I had to make for the week. As I found out Monday, meditation is something that cannot simply be picked up at one’s leisure but is a practice that must be exercised repeatedly before becoming even remotely successful.
Later in the afternoon, I took a break from my Latin textbook and went for a walk. We college students walk more than any other age group I know. But when was the last time you went for a leisurely stroll, a promenade, if you will, on your own terms? Instead of heading straight home after class, I made a point to plug in my iPod, load up my eardrums with the sweet strums of Andrew Bird and take a lap up and down the all-too-familiar stretch of Sheridan.
Back at the library, I felt noticeably more at ease. The combination of light physical activity with me time was glorious and took a mere 15 minutes.
Day 2: Cardio Exercise
Exercise has always played an important role in my life, but it has been difficult to maintain a vigorous workout schedule at college. I always try to make time to get a little smelly on the elliptical when I’ve got a lot on my plate. Today, I did three different kinds of cardio: stationary bike, elliptical and treadmill, resulting in a much sweatier, but also much more relaxed, version of myself. I ended my workout in the steam room, and despite its probably serving as a hotbed for various forms of athlete’s foot, finished the day nicely. I left the gym more limber, more clear-headed and ready for another night in front of my computer.
Day 3: Yoga
I am always intrigued by the committed Yogis I attend class with at Evanston Athletic Club. Their mats are so incredibly specialized and, from the looks of it, incredibly expensive. They sip coconut water. Their wardrobe is brought to you by the likes of Lululemon. I, however, am the anomaly in most yoga classes I attend, as I am no yoga fanatic, but it doesn’t bother me.
Throughout the week, yoga truly was the one activity that made me feel more relaxed and, for lack of a better word, more “at peace” with my week’s to-do list and with myself. Even if you’re a beginner with no idea how to do a downward dog, yoga is challenging, engaging and ultimately relaxing.
While yoga proved to be the technique that produced the most relaxing outcome, I imagine the effectiveness of exercises improve with time. Like anything, practice makes perfect, even with a task seemingly as simple as concentrating. Throughout this week, I learned-even when you have no time to do anything but color code flashcards-that you must dedicate time to your mind and body. My week has been absurdly busy and overwhelming, but forcing myself to de-stress ultimately made it better.