[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”5 Tips on Dealing With Back to School Stress” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Summer is quickly coming to a close, and fall is right around the corner. For some, this means nothing but the changing of seasons, for others this is “back to school” season. Going back to school can bring a mixture of emotions to new and returning students alike, whether its excitement or nerves or something in between. A lot of the time, we are excited for that first day back, to catch up with friends, to walk around campus, the “easy” first week, however it doesn’t last that way for long. Many of us know that regardless of how happy we are to return to the routine of college, see our friends, and experience freedom from parents, it can get stressful very quickly. One week we might get a syllabus, then the next week we feel we have three papers, two exams, and twenty chapters to complete. Whether you are in recovery or not, stress can be debilitating. Dealing with the stress of balancing school with everyday life, relationships, and our mental health, doesn’t have to be so difficult. These tips can help reduce back to school stress, before it even starts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”30014″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”1. Pencil in “Me Time””][vc_column_text]Scheduling me time can help you keep a clear head, give you space to meditate, pray or journal, and helps you get into a positive “self-care” routine. Your me time doesn’t have to be an hour long with a three-part full body meditation, it could be ten minutes before bed when your washing your face, or the five-minute walk to your car. With this time, focus on yourself, what are you thinking, what are you feeling, and how is it positively or negatively affecting you?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”2. Get Plenty of Sleep “][vc_column_text]I know, 8 hours of sleep may seem impossible, but it could greatly increase your mood and productivity. A good way to work on getting enough sleep is turning off your “blue light” on your phone, minimizing the use of TV’s, consuming less caffeine, and setting a “sleep time” schedule that you regularly adhere to. (yes, even on the weekends!)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”3. Healthy Coping Skills”][vc_column_text]Everyone has different coping skills, from painting to baking to going for a walk. Whatever you can do to keep your mind off of something stressful, or to clear your head, can be a healthy coping skill that you can use to get through life’s difficult moments.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”4. Create a Support Network”][vc_column_text]Your support network can be a group of friends, your family, a support group such as AA or NA, or even a therapist. Creating a support group can be helpful for more than just someone to vent to, they can help with advice, they can come from a place of non judgement, and they can help you through the bad times and cheer you on through the good times.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”5. Get Up and Move!”][vc_column_text]Exercising can improve your mood and alleviate stress, whether its walking, running, weight lifting, or dancing, moving around can take your mood from a two to a ten![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sometimes stress can become too much to handle, you don’t have to go through this alone. By reaching out for help you can finally learn how to utilize coping skills and live life without drugs and alcohol. Call 833-216-3079 to learn more about managing stress without drugs and alcohol.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
