The semester is moving along swiftly, and with assignments piling on top of one another, it can be easy to work yourself up and majorly stress out. University of New Mexico alumnus Justin Spueic, who graduated in 2008 as a psychology and biology double major, is currently studying hard to get into the Masters of Science in Information Systems and Assurance (MSISA) program at UNM, but decided to clue Daily Lobo readers in on his best ways to beat school-induced stress.
Walking
To de-stress amid all the studying, Spueic said walking is one of the biggest ways that he relaxes.
“It clears my head and kind of enables me to think better,” Spueic said. “I think I get lost in thought in a good way.”
Spueic likes to walk around parks but will take a stroll around campus when it’s calm with little foot traffic.
According to the Mayo Clinic, walking can reduce stress and tension as well as increase energy levels and improve cognition, memory and mood.
Hanging out with friends
According to Spueic, having a support group to talk to is a good way to take a step back. He said friends should be there to talk about anything, not just what stresses you out.
“Having those resources is really important,” Spueic said.
Meditation
Spueic said meditation is extremely beneficial and he does breathing exercises daily where he breathes in for six seconds then breathes out for six seconds.
“I (meditate) at different times of the day whenever I can remind myself to take a breath,” Spueic said.
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Spueic said that he has found that meditating and doing regulating breathing exercises has helped immensely in centering himself.
Verywell Mind, a self-described resource for mental health topics, said “by learning to calm your body and mind, your physical and emotional stress can melt away. This leaves you feeling better, refreshed and ready to face the challenges of your day with a healthy attitude. With regular practice over weeks or months, you can experience even greater benefits.”
Entertaining oneself
Taking a break from work through forms of entertainment is very helpful for Spueic, specifically watching television and playing video games.
However, Spueic warned readers to be careful with video games because they can induce more stress than it can relieve at times. However, he said binge-watching a good show usually helps him relax, as he just found after watching “Squid Game.”
Having an animal
Petting a dog or cat is very therapeutic and it’s always something that helps Spueic. His two cats, Ike and Willow, are always there for Spueic at the end of the day.
“Stress is associated with accelerated heart rate and blood pressure,” Health, a news site that covers topics relating to health, reported. “Pets promote relaxation and may help alleviate these stress symptoms.”
Spueic grew up with animals, so he knows that having a furry friend can ease some stress and tension in your life.
Everyone experiences stress, whether you’ve graduated or not. Although Spueic is not a trained medical professional, these tips may make the day seem lighter and less stressful.
Emma Trevino is the culture editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @itsemmatr
