Galleries

After all the stress and pressure because of academics, it’s important to find time to relax, chill and have a break. All of us have different kinds of coping with stress and here are some of my ways on how to unwind or destress:

Sleeping.

Since I lack sleep because of studying, sleeping is really a must for me. I need to rest both my body and mind from all the stress and pressure I’ve experienced. Sleeping for me is somehow an escape from reality. When I’m asleep, my mind is at peace.

Spending time with loved ones.

Nothing beats when I get to hang around with my family and friends. Their love and presence makes me at ease. When there are times that I feel like giving up, they are my source of strength and happiness. I tend to forget my stress and worries by chatting and laughing with them. I get positive vibes and emotional support from them which are really a big help in improving the way I feel overall.

Eating.

Eating is also one of my ways to cope with stress and I know that most of the students can relate to this because food is life. Eating foods that would satisfy my cravings helps lessen my stress and makes me feel better. This also serves as a treat and reward to myself.

Watching Netflix.

I enjoy watching my favorite movies and series like 50 First Dates, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Lucifer because they lighten up my mood and help relieve my stress. Once I started watching, it’s hard for me to stop especially when there are some cliffhangers because I become curious to what will happen next. I like watching movies or series with romance or action genre. I feel different kinds of emotions depending on the type of movie I watch. It also helps me in coping my stress because some of their shows are very lightweight and positive.

In the end, we have different ways in coping with stress. Taking a break from academics to destress and unwind is really a must. It can help us relax and regain energy for us to function better. Do no exhaust yourself too much. You’re the one who knows yourself best. When you feel tired or exhausted, rest. Remember that your physical and mental health are both important so always take care of yourself.

On today’s time when there is too much emphasis on productivity, hyper-efficiency and multi-tasking as coping mechanism, people have forgotten how to take a break, relax and stay away from stress. But, worry no more ’cause I’m here to help you out!

 

Here are my recommended steps on how you can chill out from a stressful and hectic schedule!

 

1. Don’t procrastinate.

Every week here in the university can be considered as hell week. There are always pile of workloads, papers, deadlines and other academic- related stuff. In order for you to not be that stressed, give yourself more time to do such things. Having more time means less rush and high quality of output created.

 

2. Work with someone who’s exciting.

No man is an island. Keeping a work buddy is always better. Having someone in your side who can help you in doing your work is really beneficial. Aside from it can help you lessen your workload, it can also help you in functioning better. In that way, you’re hitting two birds with one stone: finishing your work on time plus not stressing yourself too much.

 

3. Walk with nature.

Whenever you feel exhausted, our nature can be your go-to-friend. Based on studies, green surrounding can help you boost your mood. It can make you calm and feel at peace. It can also help you in focusing and functioning better.

 

4. Take evenings off, have a decent sleep.

In the middle of everything, health is one of those things that one should prioritize. As much as possible, get a complete sleep even though you’re bombarded with school works. Reserve your night and seriously, no works at all. Your health is more important.

 

5. Give yourself a day- off.

In those seven days in a week, have at least a day or two for yourself. Do what you want. Binge watching, food trip, sleep, or any activity that you enjoy doing. Having a day- off can help you feel recharge and motivated.

 

Step by step, little by little, learn to relax and enjoy your college life. Bear in mind that productivity doesn’t mean you should  always exhaust yourself. Have time to take a breathe, take a step away from stress and chill out. Tandaan mo na tao ka, ‘di ka robot.

 

 

Yes it is midterms, but it doesn’t mean that we cannot freshen our self up. Requirements, Deadlines, Quizzes and Activities, sometimes we need a little break from all of that. After a long period of doing school works, you can try these following tips to de-stress or unwind.

Go out and travel!

It does not mean to go far places, just go somewhere different this time instead of going to the University. You can try exploring Los Baños because there are so much around that you can discover. Familiarizing with the place is not fun alone, so bring your friends along!

Perfect Sleep!

Yes! This is what we need! Get yourself a full sleep. Do not make an alarm because this time you will be relaxing. Spend time also in resting, because you need it also. You do not want to be brought to University Health Service or to the Hospital right? It will be more stressful I think.

Eat, and eat and EAT!!

No, it does not mean to eat a lot like your first impression to the topic. It means that you should that food that you want to try long ago but you have not eaten it yet because you’re busy. It will not hurt somebody to eat a different kind of food to be relax right? There are so many dishes and foods around that you have not try yet. This is the time to try them!

Talk with your families and friends!

So you have done all the school works. Now, it is time to catch up socially. Talking personally or even through the phone is alright because right now you can focus on talking with other people. Talk about the things that you missed like your favorite tv show, movies and even personal things. It is better talking with someone you want to talk to without thinking about school works.

Do your hobbies!

May it be watching Kdramas, playing mobile games, outdoor or indoor sports or reading books/e-books, you can do the thing you want! Just don’t forget that you are still studying in College and more school works will come. Be cautious on not getting too hooked with those hobbies or you might neglect the things that you need to do.

Iskolars do not only know how to write an RRL, study for three exams in one night, and handle other commitments, but also know how to breathe, relax, and chill. If someone already experiences too much stress, he/she needs to shake them all off. Anyone might actually know his/her ways on how to recover and spend time for healing. In my case, I do enjoy some activities that help me in destressing. These include the following:

a. Listening to my favorite songs

I think we can all agree that music brings healing and comfort. I usually listen to songs that are suited with my mood at a particular moment. If I feel tired, I listen to Taylor Swift’s country songs. If I feel that I need to gain some energy, I listen to Pinoy hiphop songs and Kpop songs like Twice’s Fancy or Seventeen’s Snap Shoot. Whenever I feel very down, I listen to ballad songs in order to control and ease my mind then I listen to lofi hiphop beats and songs.

b. Talking a walk

Ever since I was young, I really enjoy walking especially when the weather is peaceful and fine. My mood instantly improves if I would drink milktea or my favorite drink at the same time. Aside from the fact that it eases my mind, it also serves as a cardio exercise which is good for my circulatory system.

c. Watching vlogs, movies, or TV series

This is one of my most favorite activities to do especially during weekends or whenever I feel like I have already finished doing my acads. Who says no to binge-watching especially to shows which are entertaining and informative too?

d. Dancing

It might sound weird and ‘not chill’ for others but dancing really helps me lift my spirits up and makes me feel good and confident. Because of this, I have joined a group that encourages me to step up my dancing skills and learn something new while lessening the amount of pressure and stress that I carry. I meet a lot of people who are passionate about dancing too!

e. Ukay shopping

As someone who is interested in finding neat and cheap goodies, I definitely love going to thrift shops or ukayukay shops. The close ones are located within the junction area in Los Baños and display a whole variety of types of clothing and footwear. I consider a discovery of a cute, right-fitting and probably a branded but cheap outfit an achievement and it really makes me feel lucky and contented at the same time.

Looking at my almost crazy ‘chill’ activities, it can still be concluded that at the end of the day, what’s important is that one should find time for him/herself and do whatever makes him/her happy and at ease. No matter who you are and what you do in life, you truly deserve a break and happiness even just for a while.

‘Tis the season to be jolly

Deck the Halls (Thomas Oliphant, 1862)

This is the most wonderful time of the year and ’tis the season to be jolly because a few weeks from now our first semester is about to end. But is it the season to be jolly? Looking at the calendar, there are many requirements to submit, exams to take, and do other academic-related stuff to pass our subjects.

They said that “hell week” is approaching. But for me it’s Faith Week. So, now how do we chill after accomplishing all the tasks? Here are just some of the matters that I do after a long week:

1. Getting an adequate amount of sleep.
   It is needed to have sufficient rest after several sleepless nights due to cramming and finishing requirements. This allows my body to regain the strength that I have lost.
   
   
2. Listen to your favorite artist.
   It’s your time to sing your heart out to release all the stress that you had. And it helps you improve your hearing skills as well as your talent.
   
   
3. Try to join a Community Zumba or exercise.
   Every time you exercise, you secrete endorphins that help you feel better and positive. This also helps you to be fit.
   
   
   
4. Reflect, meditate, and pray.
   I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Assess your faith and thank God for all the good things you have enjoyed. It’s good to feed your soul again because it is one of the things you can gain your strength.
   
   
5. Reconnect with friends and family.
   After a long time of academic work, go with your friends and have a catch-up session, sharing of thoughts and laughter together. Bond with the people that believes in you, they give the energy that will make you go through and pursue your goals. The love and appreciation that they give, give me the strength to do things beyond my limitations.
   
   

These activities I do may seem to be so “Tito” but it’s my way of coping up with stress. I believe that rest is important for the body and mind to function well. Likewise establishing a strong relationship with your family and friends this will give you energy because these people fuel your passion and aspiration. I hope that I have inspired you to find out the activities that suit your being. Have a great week ahead at the university!

It’s the midterms in the uni and here comes another great wave of sleep deprivation, wild palpitations from caffeine, and zero social life. However, your holistic health stability is also as important as your desired unos. There are a lot of ways to keep your grades up while also maintaining your sanity. Here are three tips on how to unwind or relax during your uni hell weeks. (Because you deserve it, bes!)

1. Clean, bes
With an overwhelming work load and deadlines left and right, it’s really difficult to have your mind in a state of peace. One way to attain a clear mind is to also keep your physical space clean. Just like your thoughts, an organized workspace and room can help you release some of the tension you’ve been keeping to yourself. Remember, clean space = clean mind. Picking up your trash from the floor and folding your neglected laundry are effective ways to somehow slow down your fast paced week and it can also take your mind off your academic responsibilities even for a while. It is also very easy to squeeze in a 5 or 10 minute cleaning time in your daily schedule.

2. Netflix, bes
Don’t forget to always take breaks between studying hours. Studies show that having short breaks increases the probability of retaining information compared to studying for hours and hours without stop. There are a lot ways to spend those few minutes, like walking outside, grabbing a snack or taking a power nap. Another one is by entertaining yourself by watching shows that can boost up your mood. The convenience that netflix brings is really useful because it enables us to have access to our favorite shows anytime, anywhere. So I suggest watching an episode or two of your favorite sitcom or cartoon. Not having a netflix subscription is not a problem, because there is multitude of streaming sites that you can use. (Just search good enough to find those with less annoying advertisements and decent subtitles). However, there’s also a danger that comes with watching your favorite shows during your breaks. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of binge watching a show until you don’t have time to study or do your school requirements anymore. Self-control is key, bes.

Because you deserve it, here’s a short recommendation list of shows you can watch, with episodes running for less than 30 minutes (just enough for your studying breaks).

•Brooklyn Nine Nine
•Bojack Horseman
•Rick and Morty
•The Big Bang Theory

3. Gala, bes
If you have a few hours or even a day to spare, it is a good idea to go out and catch some fun with your family and friends. It is also a good time to spend time with yourself and visit the places you like. Visiting places can also remind you that there’s a bigger world outside your academics.

Good luck with your exams, bes! Make sure to apply these tips for a less stressful and exhausting midterms.

Laban, bes!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FAmnLHoF6Pd9MYP87MIUzLlTqiXTB5d0/view

University life is no joke. What do I expect UP is never easy. The past three months had been overwhelming and kind of exhausting. Thankfully, I survived it and I managed to endure the kick-off of UP Hell weeks. As a freshman, it is essential to know how to handle different kinds of stressors because we still have a long way to go. Knowing how to relax and unwind can help you get back in the game, even stronger.

Here are ways on how I chill. These things could also help you.

Weekends equals family time

• The reason why I always look forward to weekends is none other than my family. I grew up very close to my parents and sibling. Being away from them is a challenge but I must endure it because as they say, “growth happens in the uncomfortable”. After a very draining college week, the comfort of going back to my hometown and just being able to spend time with my family is just SO WORTHWHILE. Even if we aren’t going anywhere and just chill in our house the whole weekend, I am very much happy and contented with their company. After everything, it is best to go back to the people who believes in you and loves you for who you are. Having a solid support system helped me to continue fighting.

Reward yourself

• Sometimes, all we need is a little pat in the back from ourselves. We often forget the efforts and hard work we exerted in our studies and may sometimes feel like it is not enough. In my case, if I knew in myself that I gave my best to comply with all the acad-related stuff, I think it’s just right to reward myself with doing things that I love. Let us not feel guilty for doing things that are ‘unproductive’ or recreational. Go scroll that phone, watch that youtube vlogs, practice your makeup skills, bake that muffin, pet your dog. The list goes on. Enjoy the things that will free your mind from the stress of acads.

Foods are cheaper than therapy

• They say that it is bad to stress-eat. Sorry, I can’t help it. Foods gave me a different level of comfort. I mean honestly, just a piece of my favorite choco butternut donut and an iced coffee won’t hurt right. After an exhausting subject, the satisfaction of that first sip in my Okinawa milktea with tapioca pearls feels like heaven! If I feel so down after getting a low score on an exam that I really worked hard for, an ice cream magically makes me feel incredibly better. Pigging out is an effective way to unwind but just also keep in mind that you won’t want to graduate UP having an obesity. Just kidding! If it makes you feel good, go but eat moderately.

Listen to good music.

• I don’t think I’ll be able to live without music. What more during the most crucial hell weeks here in the university. Just being able to sing along with the lyrics and listen to the songs of my favorite bands relieves my stress and anxiety. A good music strike through my heart. It makes me forget about my problems even for a short while, uplifts my mood and helps me to cope up with my day.

Appreciate solitude.

• As an introvert, I really do enjoy spending and doing things alone. Not that I’m a loner but I am selective of whom and where I invest my energy to. Whenever I feel mentally or emotionally drained because of acads, meditation really works for me. Sometimes, I do it by walking and just appreciating the beauty of nature around me. On other times, I do it by writing down my thoughts in a journal. I’m just being very honest with myself by writing what I’m feeling at the moment and the stuff that are troubling me. Lastly but most effectively, I dedicate a personal time with God. I simply talk to Him by praying or reading the bible. He gives me peace and comfort that no one ever could. He strengthens me and pushes me to never give up and continue fighting for my dreams.

“Magpapahinga pero hindi susuko. Tuloy ang laban.”

Exams are indeed challenging and stressful. You will be needing to allot time and effort to study all the concepts. It’s never easy to study so after that, it’s time to finally unwind!

As for me, I prefer staying, chilling and unwinding indoors. Here are some of the things I do whenever I have free time:

Catch up with family
Every weekend, I make sure to go home. Whenever I’m home, I usually tell my family stories of my stressful days in the university. It helps me relieve the stress I have. This also helps because they cheer and encourage me to do better in the future.

Treat yourself.
After stressful days of studying, I make sure to reward myself by eating something that I really want. Usually, I would treat myself with something sweet like an ice cream or any pastry.

Sleep is life.
Sleep is really important. Whenever I had to stay up all night for studying, I make sure to sleep a lot after the exams. I believe that I have to get recharged since there are more exams and requirements coming.

Binge-watch or catch up with kdramas
I often watch kdramas whenever I have time. After exams, I usually spend my time catching up with the drama I’m currently watching. Sometimes, I start watching a drama and try to finish it in 1-2 days.

It’s nice to give yourself a break once in a while. Reward yourself or find time for yourself after working hard. Have time to recharge as there are more exams and requirements to come in the next weeks.

College life is never easy. Being a student is never easy. I remember some people saying, “DevCom lang yan, kaya mong ipasa yan.” No, it’s not “DevCom lang”. Just because there’s no computation or MATH, doesn’t mean it’s easy. There is no easy program in college. No matter how much you like what you’re taking, you’ll still find it hard. Every program has long exams; thus, every student has hell week.

When a long weekend comes, I tend to do things that chill me out. I do things that keep me from thinking about school. Rest for me, is a time to breathe and relax.

Here are the things that I do to chill out:

Before I do school works or when I feel stressed, I go for a walk or go biking. It calms me and makes me forget all the things that stress me. Sometimes, I even let our dog join me in doing this activity. This gives me fun and my body a chance to be exercised.

Playing our keyboard makes my mind calm and occupied. It keeps me from thinking about my problems. I consider this a good distraction from my problems.

When I’m sad, happy, stressed, and angry, I tend to listen to music. It calms me and gives me an escape from the world.

Eating makes me satisfied and feels less stressed. It’s my source of energy to continue whatever I’m doing and to start what I should do. It also helps me to think clearly.

I love watching movies/shows that motivate me. It makes me stronger and motivated to continue facing my problems in life and think that life is boring when problems are not present. It makes me continue fighting.

Watching the sky is my way of giving myself some time alone. Being with yourself helps you to sort things out and realize what you should do and what should not.

I tasted life.

Emily Dickinson