tips for reducing stress

it's that time of year.

for seniors, it's college applications + polishing essays, struggling to decide what majors + minors, figuring out their interests and possible careers, balancing schoolwork with studying for midterms.

for other high-schoolers, it's keeping up with projects + papers, studying for tests, prepping for midterms + finals.

high school is stressful. it's an exciting time of life, where everything is changing and new things are beginning, but it is stressful.

i struggle with stress a lot, particularly since i can get stressed over literally anything. so, here are some proven tips for reducing stress, that have worked for me. ;)

. take a half hour or so, and just relax
i usually relax by putting on Owl City (or a Studio C sketch ;), sitting down at the kitchen table, and getting out my calligraphy pens + notebook. just do something that relaxes + calms you. then, after a half hour or so, go back to your work.


. color
i love to color in my adult coloring books while listening to an odyssey episode (yes i still listen to AIO, probably will for the rest of my life, xD. post coming soon why i love it so much) or other music. y'all, it's been proven that coloring reduces stress. i went thru a phase in my freshman + sophomore years of high school, where i spent a half hour every night coloring while listening to odyssey on the radio. and, it helped a lot. ;)

i even did a research project for my ap psychology class two years ago, to see if coloring actually does reduce stress. and it does!


. listen to calming music + drink tea
just something about tea + calming music is magical. and it definitely helps when you're stressed + anxious about something. just make sure it's decaffeinated. bc caffeine when you're stressed isn't a good mix ;) (although sometimes, you do just need coffee xD).

. drink water
yup. just get a tall glass of ice water and drink it all. it helps, trust me.

. sit down + write down what's stressing you out
this helps me so much when i'm stressing out over finishing a project. i'll sit down and write out a schedule of when and how i plan to finish it, allotting different things to each day. it helps so much to actually see it being finished.

. talk with your mom / dad
as cliche as it sounds, it helps a lot ;). whenever i'm stressed, i flop onto my mom's bed and we have a long chat about it, and she always reassures me that i will be okay. and i always feel better + encouraged after we talk. ;) <3 <3

. text a friend
again, it will help. maybe your friend is just as stressed as you are, and y'all can commiserate together ;).

. just breathe
and know, that this is only a small chapter of the story God has planned for you. and, God is Sovereign. He has planned everything in your life, and knows exactly what will happen. just breathe.

i'm reading this wonderful book, "Trusting God", by Jerry Bridges. and it is absolutely amazing. i highly recommend it. and it has helped so much. knowing that God is Sovereign and he has planned every detail in your life, and that we need to trust him with everything.


. pray for peace + serenity 
ask God for peace during this crazy, swirling time. i also ask God for me to be able to enjoy this season, to know that while it is stressful, it is also exciting.

. put some essential oils in a diffuser
if you don't know what essential oils are......:/

xD. there's a running joke my friends and i have that all homeschoolers use essential oils. at least, all the homeschoolers in our co-op + our area use them. ;) and while they might not help for all ailments, i love to diffuse lavender when i'm stressed.

. take a bath 
yup. it's calming + relaxing. also, read a book. for me, it's usually harry potter, because something about it is so calming and home.

hope y'all enjoyed this post + hopefully it's useful and helpful. ;) and yes, i'm posting this a day early, but i have babysitting early tomorrow, and so idk when i'll be home. ;)

do y'all get stressed during the school year?

what are some things you do to reduce stress?

<3 <3, 

allison riera

p.s. who's excited for 

"The Crimes of Grindelwald"

movie?

I AM!!!!

p.p.s. i'm also super excited about

"Archenemies" coming out on Nov.4,

going to preorder it this weekend! 

<3 <3