The school season is just around the corner, and it can be very stressful to get prepared for it. Over the years, I have collected many ways to relax my already anxious mind. Trying to balance doing well on exams, tons of homework, and a social life is draining. And let's be honest, the summer break doesn't help — trying to fit all the fun and socializing into 2 months is also quite hard and tiring.

Truly, there are many ways to take school off your mind — or at least think more positively about it. It is actually fascinating how uniquely each person copes with stress. I believe that everyone who's reading this can see it in their friends, classmates, or even family. After giving it some thought, I made a list of my personal favourite ways to relax.

Journaling

Image Credit: Beechmore Books from Unsplash

Seems simple, right? Once you get the hang of it, it truly is. I like to sort my thoughts on paper as a way to review them, validate them, and maybe ponder if the worries even make sense. The next school year, my expectations and fears about what the future holds — they all feel much easier to handle once written down.

I started journaling when I was 11, trying to live the teen movie dream of cutely writing in my diary every night. Other than making myself feel like the main character, I helped myself build the healthy habit of journaling. It felt awkward at first, not knowing what to write, but then it started. I had a place where I could be myself — freely.

I'm going to be brutally honest, it's not easy finding the time every night, especially when you are busy with school. I haven't always been consistent with my journaling, but every time that I get back to it and spend some time with myself and my thoughts, I feel better.

Journaling doesn't have to have only a positive or negative theme — from writing about getting a good grade, being accepted to your dream school, and planning to writing down your struggles and worries, so that they feel lighter in your mind; journaling doesn't give you limits on what you can write about, it's your non-judgmental friend. And as a bonus, you can do it anywhere — journaling doesn't have to be strictly a thing you need a physical notebook for. Recently, I tried journaling in my Notes app, and I'd say it works just as well as a classic journal, if not better; it is quicker, which helps me sort out my thoughts more easily.

I strongly recommend journaling even outside of just relaxing before the school year starts. It's truly relieving to let yourself think and debate with your own mind.

Take the Quiz: Which US Boarding School fits you best?

Find out where you should spend your high school career

Thoughtful Walks

Image Credit: Javier García from Unsplash

Did you know that walking in nature for even just 15-30 minutes helps boost your mood? It's because of certain compounds which we breathe in, called phynocides, which activate cells in your body, which help your body fight against viruses and tumors. They also boost your mood and lower your stress! Now that we have that random fact behind us, I can tell you why I love thoughtful walking.

For me, thoughtful walking is almost aimless; you walk with the intent of not going to a specific place — you never know where you might end up, that's the fun! The point of this activity is to connect with your thoughts (hence the name) and spend some time by yourself, with yourself.

Here are some tips for having a nice, thoughtful walk:

• Pack water (stay hydrated!).
• Go the opposite way of where you'd normally go — best to choose somewhere where it's not crowded.
• You can talk to yourself — I found a way of doing this so that people don't think anything of it. If you have headphones, put them in, and when you talk, it looks as if you're on a call.
• Pay attention to your surroundings, feelings, and body — stay in the present.

I go on thoughtful walks whenever I need to clear my head. I prefer going in nature and without music, but everyone likes different things. Just remember, there is no need to rush anywhere, walk at your own comfortable pace, and enjoy the time outside with yourself.

Vision Boarding

Image Credit: Jovan Vasiljević from Unsplash

You probably heard of people making vision boards for the new year. It's a great way to motivate yourself and set a tone for your year. The summer before I went to secondary school, I remembered my vision board from New Year's Eve that I made with my friend, and realized that it would be a great way to start a new school year at a completely new school. It's practically my tradition now to make a vision board on New Year's Eve and for the new school year.

It's easy — you need to have a vision of what you'd like to achieve (and believe that you can do it!). From getting accepted to your dream school, trying that hobby you've been thinking of trying out, to taking care of yourself more. A vision board can be virtual or physical. I personally prefer the physical version — it makes me feel more connected to it.

I stumbled across vision boarding in 2023 on social media. I saw groups of girls getting together to create cool collages with many pictures that had money, gyms, good grades, and cute meals in them. I did some research and realized that it would be the perfect way to visualize my goals.

Making a vision board is simple. For a digital one, you just find some pictures of the things you'd like to take up during the year and put them together to e.g. make the vision board your wallpaper on your laptop, tablet, or phone. With the physical ones, it's similar.

You find the photos you like, print them in a small format, and glue them together on a board. And as a bonus to the motivation, you get a cute decoration for your room — or an awesome wallpaper!

Napping

Image Credit: Adrian Swancar from Unsplash

Yes, you read that correctly. It's a classic. Taking a nap is an amazing way to rest for a bit.

Putting the doomscrolling away and actually relaxing can be challenging, especially if you've been doing it for a while, but believe me, it is possible. Set that timer. Close those eyes. And give your mind a break, even if it's for just 10 minutes with a power nap.

I nap very often. After school, after going to the gym, even when I did nothing all day. The thing is, it takes way less power than doing yoga or going on a thoughtful walk.

Sometimes we search for the most complicated, aesthetic way to relax, even when a simpler way is right in front of us. Out of all the ways stated above, I am the most consistent with this one. It's mostly because I am tired from doing things all day, all week, or all summer, so I search for a way to relax that won't leave me even more exhausted.

That concludes my favorite ways to relax. Though not all relaxation techniques are suitable for everyone, I tried to include ways for people with varying energy levels, so that you can find the one that's best for you. I hope you find yours, and I wish you luck for the next school year!