With finals coming up, it’s hard not to let the stress of exams and studying get to you. I, too, have fallen victim to it, and lately I have been looking for ways to calm down. Even if I don’t necessarily feel anxious, I still find my shoulders and jaw tight from subconscious stress.

Besides distracting yourself with social media, taking care of your mental health is especially important at this time. This week, a professor of mine spent the first ten minutes of class leading a guided meditation. I think more professors should recognize the pressures that we deal with from school, work, family life, etcetera. In addition, I think the University should offer more resources besides seeking out C.A.P.S. for meditation and practicing mindfulness – even if it is in the form of small programs run by RAs.

Although some people don’t necessarily care too much about this, it would still be nice to have options instead of feeling like we’re on our own. Worst case scenario, if you cannot get out of the library or your room to take a break, YouTube offers a variety of options for relaxation and stress reducing tactics that you can use anywhere you are.