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Stress Management Tips

As final exams approach and the winter holidays draw near, this time of year can sometimes feel like the perfect storm of stress and anxiety. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The library is here to help! Below are some of our favorite ways to restore balance and tame burnout. 

• Practice mindful breathing. Taking a moment to focus on your breathing can help you reduce stress and improve your concentration. Try this 5-minute breathing exercise from The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. 
• Eat and sleep. During stressful times, it can be easy to forget some of our basic needs: food and rest! A balanced meal and a good night’s sleep help replenish your body and mind, making it easier for you to handle life’s challenges and recover after a long day.  
• Exercise. Devote some time every day to physical activity. Exercise releases endorphins—your body’s feel-good hormones that reduce stress and improve sleep. Try taking a jog or a walk (outside in the sunshine, if you can!) or throwing on your favorite song for an impromptu dance session. 
• Stretch. Stuck at your desk or computer for too long? Give yourself a short break and try some stretches to boost your mobility, improve your posture, and sharpen your focus. 
• Get creative. Unplug from your devices and tap into your creative side. Take a coloring break, respond to a journal prompt, or start a new craft with supplies around your home. Give yourself permission to experiment and don’t worry about making mistakes. 
• Spend time with family and friends. Connecting with family and friends (and pets too!) can help lift your spirits and cultivate a spirit of togetherness.  
• Design a finals study schedule. Feeling overwhelmed by upcoming final exams and projects? Create a study schedule to structure your time and visualize your goals. Not sure where to start? Try prompting a generative AI tool, like Perplexity, to help design a study schedule that works for you. 
• Visit the library. Librarians at UDC are here to help you finish out the semester and cheer you on as you cross the finish line! Need help with research or want to talk about an assignment? Reach out to a librarian or schedule an appointment. 
• Read for pleasure. Tired of textbooks and academic articles? Check out a book to read for fun, or grab a free book to keep from our Firebird Book Nook (Building 38, Level B—near the library’s individual study rooms). Looking for something shorter? Discover a new favorite poem. 

Good luck, Firebirds! This time of year can be intense, but we know you have the power to shine! 

Note: If stress becomes too overwhelming, don't hesitate to seek professional help through the UDC Counseling and Wellness Center. Your mental health matters. Please remember to take care of yourself. 

Image generated with the prompt “Minimalist graphic for library blog post about reducing stress” by Microsoft CoPilot, 2024.