It’s no secret that senior year can be an extremely stressful time! Whether you’re the parent of a high schooler, or the one preparing to graduate, it might seem like a life filled with stress is simply inevitable, but I would beg to differ. High school should be exciting, but it doesn’t have to be filled with sleepless nights and scary deadlines. You can take steps to reduce stress in your life; steps that are actually easier than you might imagine. Here are our five best tips for clearing clutter and stress out of your headspace, and bringing back some joy!
-Get organized: By knowing what you have to do and when, you can become more efficient. Start by gathering up any important papers, deadlines, and applications that you’ve accumulated so far during this year of school. Buy or borrow an inexpensive filling binder or folder that you can add tabs and dividers to (tip: they often have these at your local yard sales or Goodwill stores). Make a tab for each area of your life such as work, college, scholarships, or graduation. Right away, you’ll have a spot for all those important documents that you cannot afford to lose, and you’ll be able to breathe a little easier.
-Clean and purge: Check out the Tidying Up documentary on Netflix, and set aside a day or two (or even just a few hours if you have a tight schedule) to go through your living space, including closet, under the bed, your desk, and your car. By purging things you don’t need, clothes that don’t fit, and getting rid of things you can donate or give away, you will not only make physical space, you will also create mental space with the time saved from cleaning, trying to find things, or wading through belongings. You’d be surprised how much time you have been spending simply choosing outfits in the morning, or digging through your car trunk to find items. By streamlining possessions, you will eliminate those issues.
-Unplug and get enough sleep: Many high schoolers that I know stay up till all hours of the night to finish homework and projects. I get it, you all have such busy schedules. But sometimes, forcing yourself to go to bed early helps you prioritize your time and be more productive. If you are typically a night owl, or a morning person, try to shift your sleep and work schedules to fit with when you are most active/creative and able to focus. It may not look like everyone else’s schedule, but it’s better than wasting time when your body needs rest. Don’t forget to set aside time to unplug from your phone and laptop, too. You can do this right on your smartphone by limiting your time on apps like Facebook, and by setting “asleep” settings on your alarm and clock.
-Eat right and take your vitamins: Your diet and your body really impact your stress levels. If you feel especially anxious or emotional, or on edge, you could need bloodwork done by your primary doctor to see what your body is deficient in or needing. Often supplements like iron, vitamin D, or other minerals, can greatly reduce your stress, and help stabilize your emotional state. Don’t forget the importance of a diet with plenty of nutrients, which can help you cope better with stressful situations such as senior projects or large term papers. Exercise is also a great way to handle tense situations, and
-Talk to someone: One of the most important things you can do is talk to someone if you are struggling with chronic stress. Whether it’s a trusted adult, a friend, or a therapist, talking can really help get your emotions out in the open and verbalize the things that are bothering you. If you don’t feel like you have anyone who can understand your situation, consider asking a counselor at your high school to address any personal or academic issues. If you are worried about college or graduation, they might be the perfect person to help assuage your fears. Remember that there is no struggle that is too big to be dealt with, and getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness!
Stressful parts of life are inevitable, but by creating healthy habits, you can navigate them like a pro. One thing that shouldn’t be adding to your stress is senior photos; you can book with us anytime, and we will make the process easy-peasy!
