Lindsay Keener |Staff Writer
Charlie Riedel | Associated Press
Stress. We’ve all had it at one time or another
It’s often ugly, a little scary and incredibly annoying – not to mention, time consuming. There are a lot of contributors to stress but only one real solution: Give yourself a break.
When exactly do you take a break? After the first few math problems or after you’ve begun pulling your hair out?
Truth is, the answer is different for everyone.
What might stress out your friend in Math 110 could be drastically different from what causes your anxiety. Depending on your ability to handle stress, you may have to be diligent about when you remove yourself from demanding situations. As an adult, you are responsible for tracking your emotional state of being. When you feel yourself shifting toward negativity, you must focus on what brings you peace.
Despite being just 20 years old, I always find myself concerned about making the most of my time. I want to be as productive as possible and, at times, my urgency to succeed can be my downfall. If you were to remember the last time you felt stressed, I’m sure you’d recall the negative effect it had on your body. Stress can leave you feeling irritable, sleep deprived, anxious and more. None of these effects are positive, and they have the ability to drastically change your productivity levels for the worse. What good is a dream if you’re too drained to watch it come true? You guessed it: Not any good at all.
There’s no denying the importance of time management or the impact it can have on your personal success, but prosperity also can be found in taking time for yourself.
Taking a break to collect your thoughts, relax or plan out the rest of the week doesn’t mean you’re putting your dreams on hold. In fact, it often means you’re finding better, healthier ways to make them a reality. Regarding the benefits of stress management and personal time, there are a multitude. In addition to increased productivity, those who find themselves in a stable mind state have higher creativity levels and retention rates. Without a doubt, your well-being improves with each stress-free decision.
Now be sure, there’s a very thin line between taking a break and letting a break take you down. With any resting period, a corresponding limit must be put in place. Going hours or days without doing anything productive for the sake of your mental health might feel good in the moment, but it isn’t a long-term solution. Instead, spend a few minutes to an hour doing something you enjoy, and when it’s over, return to your priorities. Find a balance between the two. You’ll thank yourself for it.
While it might not always feel like it, we have more time allotted to our goals than we realize. Stressing over whether or not you’ve been handling the trials of life is pointless. As cliche as it sounds, your life’s going exactly how it’s meant to. What’s meant for you will come in time. Do yourself a favor and make sure you’re ready when it does.
The Hampton Script 