Let’s face it, we’re finally at the point in the semester where a lot of us are burning out and it can be difficult to relax in the dorms or with a roommate. Don’t worry though, there are very simple things you can add into your nighttime routine to fully destress, decompress and get you ready for a new day.
Here are 5 ways for you to decompress before going to bed:
1. Put your phone away!
First things first the phone needs to go and this is the most important step by far. This may be harder for some of you out there, but putting your phone down is a way for you to get rid of the distraction and help you wind down for the night.
You can easily turn it off for a small amount of time or simply place it on “Do Not Disturb” to help you forget about it.
2. Sip on a cup of tea
It’s pretty amazing what snuggling up with a hot drink like tea can do for relaxation. Making a cup and settling in for the night is sure to help ease your mind before bedtime.
Here are some of the best teas to help you take it easy:
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
- Lavender
3. Take on a stretch session
Throughout our day, we use our muscles in most everything we do. In order to fully relax during your evening routine, it is key to stretch out those muscles. You can either do some simple stretches to unwind, or use online videos that will guide you through before bed stretches or practice some yoga.
WSU provides yoga sessions in the fitness center for students to attend during the week and select times on the weekends. These classes are a great way to take some personal time to relax and the classes are for all levels.
4. Breathing and meditation techniques
Along with stretching, breathing exercises are a great way to slow your heart rate and calm yourself down. There are many guided videos and even gifs out there to help you with this. Meditation is another easy way to clear your mind in order to get a restful night of sleep. Just like breathing, this allows you to tune into clearing your mind and lessens stress and a tense body.
Here are some guided videos for meditation:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EaMJOo1jks
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEd2K1FxNQY
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyy0ra2WcQQ
5. Evaluate your day
Last but not least, it is most important for you to take a few minutes to evaluate the day you had. This allows for you to mentally go over the different components of the day, and ask yourself questions like:
What went well?
What didn’t go so well?
What can you do to make tomorrow better?
After looking over your day, you can easily know what you can do to make the next day an even more successful one.
Another option to help handle stress is to utilize WSU’s counseling services. You can schedule appointments easily and go as much as needed. To schedule an appointment, you can call 507.457.5330 or head on over to Health, Counseling & Wellness services in the Integrated Wellness Complex between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Taking care of yourself is one of the most important aspects of succeeding in college. Just adding one or a few of these tips into your routine can all around make for a less stressful day or semester.
