LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

This time of year can feel especially difficult as we manage finals, the holiday season, and planning for the upcoming spring semester. All of this while adjusting to colder weather and shorter days can have many college students feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.

As a grad student who has struggled with all the above, I’ve collected a few strategies that help me maintain wellness during this busy season. Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all, but trying out different approaches can make a real difference. Here are some of my go-to practices:

Find Community Support

Having a support system is essential to maintaining wellness. This could comprise friends, family, faculty, mentors, or counselors. The key aspect of community support is being able to have someone to provide you support through listening and understanding. 

If you’re interested in counseling, CU Denver’s Counseling Center is a great resource. Their goals-based model has personally helped me process emotions in a structured, supportive way.

Mindfulness & Reflection

To practice mindfulness, we must focus on the present moment. This can be taking a few moments to breathe when feeling anxious, refocusing stress into writing a to-do list. As we get into the habit of reflecting on our feelings in the moment, I also recommend taking time at the end of the day to reflect. Reflection creates an outlet for emotions and helps us understand overwhelming feelings. For me, I write a journal daily and try to note areas where I could grow/improve in my emotional management.  

Make Time for Fun!

We are more than just students and employees, so we should take time outside of these roles to do things that bring us joy! Routinely having time for hobbies, going out and about, hanging out with loved ones, etc. helps balance stress in other areas of life. 

For me, I actively space out time in my week to be able to crochet, hang out with my friends/family, and play some video games. Having just a few hours of time where I know I will be able to relax and have fun gives me something to look forward to! 

Move Your Body

Stress often shows up in our physical body through tension, restless sleep, and fatigue. Physical activity, even in small amounts, can release that stress. I am a very stressed person, so I often practice yoga to help release tension, stretch, build some strength, and have time to breathe (and practice mindfulness!) Connecting and taking care of your body helps us bring attention to how stress may impact our body beyond the mind. 

Shift Your Perspective

When you sit with one assignment for too long, it’s easy to burn out. Taking breaks every hour—stretching, walking, or changing your study space—refreshes your perspective and helps you do better work. I recommend taking time to be outside for a moment (taking a walk) when you are really overwhelmed. 

Eat and Sleep Well

It sounds simple, but we can easily forget to eat/sleep regularly when we are focused on other responsibilities! Remember to eat three nutritious meals a day and aim for eight hours of sleep. Your body and mind need consistent fuel and rest to function at their best.

Ask for Help! 

If you need help in any capacity (practicing wellness, staying on top of assignments, etc.), it is so important to ask. Staff and faculty on our campus are here to support YOU and your wellbeing. If you need an extension on something, it is always better to ask, the worst response you could get is “no.” Asking for help also grows your support network on campus and helps you become a better self-advocate! 

Wellness is about practice, not perfection. Try a few of these strategies and see what fits. Even small steps can make this busy season feel more manageable.