STRESS

Don't know about you guys, but I am seriously stressed at the moment.

It is currently week 6 at uni and that means one thing- DEADLINES.

Why do they do this to us? As if it isn't hard enough living on our own, having to look after ourselves and keep up with the ridiculous amounts of reading, all while trying to find time to go out twice a week (#lad), they now heap this 3000 word pile of shit on us. 

I. Cannot. Cope.

I am currently 1720 words into my 3000 word essay which is due in on Thursday and I thought, you know what I haven't done in a while? Blogged!

Can you tell I'm procrastinating? Good.

So I am stressed to say the least. But I don't wanna get you guys down, so I'm going to tell you how I try to de-stress and get through deadline week.

1) Plan

I try so hard at this, but always seem to miss the mark. I have these big theoretical plans and I write on my to do list weeks in advance 'make plan'. But do I do it? Not until the week before my deadline. I suddenly think "oh, I need to get some books out of the library...Hmm that's annoying, all the books I need are on loan... better start frantically putting things on hold... do I even have time to read all these books?" What I'm trying to say is be a bit more prepared than me and make sure you actually do your reading when you get it. That way when you need to start doing your essay you don't hate yourself for being a lazy cow. 

2) Exercise

I seem to go to the gym so much when I have a deadline. I tell myself that it is because I need to sweat away the stress, but I know deep down it is just another form of procrastination. But I try to justify it to myself- being in the gym is a productive use of my time and is much better than just sitting at home watching Netflix (I'm also guilty of this, but we can look over it). Going to the gym helps me to feel better about myself, especially when you look at what my next point is...

3) Eating

You've spent all day in the library, you've read 10 books, you deserve a reward. Why not treat yourself to that whole tub of ice cream? I am so guilty of this. I am the worst. I am a grazer and I constantly snack, especially when I am stuck in my room on my laptop all day. Now do you see why I feel like it's okay to procrastinate by going to the gym?

4) Sleep

This past week I have tried to get up early. I set my alarm for 8am, with these big plans for the day, but when that damn ringing goes off in the morning I just can't open my eyes. I have learnt from experience that if I am tired, then I am not going to do any work. Simple. My brain is cloudy, I can't think in sentences and any work I produce normally just gets deleted. Now, I make sure I have enough sleep and then I know I can have a few really productive hours rather than try to work all day running on empty. 

5) Have a bath

Preferably with bubbles or a bath bomb. Nothing relaxes me more than a bath, having some time to yourself and forgetting about the outside world. I often find that I have a brainwave in the bath because I am not stressing and my mind just naturally wanders. Saying this, I haven't had a bath at my uni house because the bath is kinda gross and takes forever to fill up which is sad.

6) Go out

Take some time for yourself. Just because you have a deadline should not mean that your life stops. Obvs don't go out all day everyday, but take a couple of hours for yourself after you've done the work you planned for the day as a little reward. Go to the shops, go out for a meal, just make sure you get out the house. One year during the exam period, I didn't leave the house for four days and I went crazy. One day I didn't eat anything other than chocolate digestives. It was a dark time.

7) Do something you enjoy

For me, that's baking. I love a bit of baking, mostly because you get to eat cake at the end of it. I never really have enough time to bake when I have loads to do, but if i have a spare hour or two I find it so helpful to calm down. Baking is also really good at lifting the spirits of your house; no one is going to turn down your baked goods.

I think I've done enough procrastinating. Now back to my essay. These are probably really rubbish tips, but just writing this post has been a bit of therapy for me. I'm going to leave you with this motivational image that's getting me through...

Anyone got any tips on how to destress?

Love, Becca xxx