College can be stressful, and if you’re experiencing stress you need an outlet. A good stress outlet will take your mind off problems so you don’t ruminate. Stress relievers can include physical activity, creativity or entertainment. You may choose more than one stress outlet to give yourself some variety. Some fun stress outlets:
Adult Coloring Books
Coloring isn’t just for kids. Adult coloring books have become a major trend and there’s a good reason why – research has shown that coloring helps relieve anxiety and stress.
Geocaching
You may have heard about geocaching but aren’t quite sure what it entails. Geocaching is outdoor treasure hunting using GPS enabled devices. For more information, visit https://www.geocaching.com/guide/
Crafting
Creating something, whether it’s a piece of jewelry or home decor, can not only relieve stress but can boost your self esteem. Even if you aren’t a crafty person, it doesn’t hurt to try something simple and work up to more complex creations.
Photography
You don’t need an expensive camera to take up photography as a hobby. Remember, you aren’t trying to take professional level pictures, just relieving stress. If you love taking pictures, it doesn’t matter how you take them as long as you love what you’re doing.
Kitten Watching
There’s no question that animals can be therapeutic. If you’re an animal lover but don’t have a pet or want to see more animals, try watching them online. Watching animals can help you destress and forget your worries. TinyKittens, a live stream of foster cats and kittens, is a great place to start.
Cooking
Cooking can be very stressful, but some individuals find it to be relaxing. If you haven’t tried cooking or baking, give it a shot. It may not be the stress outlet for you, but you might be surprised at how much you love it.
Recreational Sports
For an active stress outlet, try recreational sports. Recreational sports take the pressure off because they don’t involve formal competitions. Joining a sports team can also help you make friends. And don’t worry if you’re not very athletic, it’s meant to be fun not competitive.
Running/Walking
Running proves to be a simple yet effective way to relieve stress for many people. If you don’t like running, try jogging or walking. You may decide to work up to running later. To make it more exciting, try different routes or ask a friend to join you.
Playing an Instrument
Maybe you had to practice an instrument as a kid and are put off by the idea of playing an instrument. But playing music can be much more enjoyable when you aren’t forced. You get to choose the instrument, the music, how often you play and whether or not you want formal lessons.
Biking
Cycling can be fun, even as an adult. College campuses are usually bicycle friendly, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to ride.
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save