how to deal with stress – The April Diaries

15 Things To Do To Survive Quarantine

Published on March 19, 2020March 19, 2020 by The April DiariesLeave a comment

It feels like we’ve lived a full year in the past week, doesn’t it? And it’s only March 19th! So another thing happened, Tom Brady is no longer a Patriot, but a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. I promise this post will be less of a “brain dump” and “trying-to-process” post, like Thoughts on the Coronavirus: is 2020 the new 2012? No, we are afraid of fear, itself. The past two weeks have been turbulence of emotions and uncertainty. I just got off a Zoom “tech rehearsal” for my Senior Art Studio class, and I have to say, it’s better than nothing.

But other than that, here are some good tips on how to survive “staying at home” which is now referred to by the CDC as “quarantine.”

Have a Chick Flick marathon!
Have a horror movie marathon!
Get take-out from Chomp
Support artists
Take a virtual tour of Versailles (I did that in person 6 years ago!)
Download a book from NYPL
Take virtual tours of art museums
Start from a stack of books you have in your room already and work your way down! I recommend anything written by Rebecca Serle, especially In Five Years!
Learn how to bake and cook!
Facetime a friend/significant other
Watch anything on Disney+
Stop perusing social media so much! This only gets on your nerves more!
Spend some time with your pets, especially if you have a cat like mine
Do yoga at home
Meditate

BLOG-MAS: How to Positively Survive Stress During the Holidays

Published on December 23, 2019 by The April Diaries1 Comment

I’ll be honest with you, at the beginning of the month, I sat in my therapist’s office… and cried. The holidays are stressful for some, others not so much. For me? I’ll be candid. The holidays have brought a lot of emotional baggage for the past four years, so basically, since I started college.

People tend to put a lot of pressure on the holidays. I was talking to one of my fellow writers, and she said, “I put a lot of pressure on special days to be extraordinary but sometimes they’re just a regular day with a little extra ‘pizazz.'” For some people, the holidays can bring back unpleasant memories, while others may be struggling to make ends meet and actually put something under the tree, or simply stocking stuffers! I almost didn’t get a tree this year! People could be grieving, while there are those who thrive on social media posting pictures with captions like Merry Chrysler! but don’t let those pictures fool you, social media has a way of hiding stuff “behind the camera–” the things not seen. I’m surprised if there’s someone out there with not the least bit of baggage around the holidays, and I’m not being negative here!

But here are a few tips to survive any aspect of the holiday season:

Pray or meditate. I know there may be so much to do, but even if you’re a parent wrapping gifts for the kids, a simple meditation (while the kids are sleeping) will help.
When in doubt, make gifts! If you’re crafty, I’m sure you can make something even if it’s a pinecone elf! There are other things to do like writing a poem or making a video!
Journal. I cannot stress this enough. I especially recommend Junk Journaling — I’ve been following Katy Bellotte’s journaling methods, and I LOVE it. I even asked for glue sticks and washi tape for Christmas!
Donate to a cause you care about, even if it’s just a dollar. This year my mom donated to one of my favorite causes, Women for Women. I SUGGEST YOU DONATE, TOO!
Volunteer someplace. Giving blood helps, too especially during the winter.

Here’s an example of “Junk Journaling:”

BLOG-MAS TUESDAY: April’s Guide to Surviving Finals Week

Published on December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 by The April DiariesLeave a comment

Taking a break from writing a paper, and currently wrapped up in the stress of finals week. Finals week can be tough, especially when there’s a lot to do. I only have two written finals, but this paper for African Literature has my eyes red and puffy and my stomach in knots. I feel like that acne commercial with Emma Roberts: “I stress out then I break out… then I stress out even more!” Unintentionally said finals week can make your skin break out like no other. 🎶So, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why: FINALS WEEK IS GOING TO BE OKAY!🎶

Let it all out when you need to do so. By that, I mean cry. Crying is healthy. It doesn’t help when it’s all bottled up.
Don’t leave things to the last minute.
Drink WATER 💦 no one can live on just coffee.
With that being said, eat your nutrients. I’m not talking about fatty foods but get some stirfry, eggs, or sushi. Don’t skip a meal — it’s not good for you!
Book a meeting with your therapist or counselor, if you have one.
If you have a job on campus, I’m sure your supervisor won’t mind if you take an hour off to do final projects.
Take your medications and/or vitamins.
Go to your school’s tutoring center if you have last-minute finals questions.
Take Reading Days to your full advantage and STUDY.
Take care of your skin. I use KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial.
Clear a little space in your dorm/room/apartment (no matter where you live while going to school). Studies have shown that having a cluttered room increases anxiety.
Reward yourself with a glass of white/red wine after finals, a day with your sweetheart, or a much-needed nap. You deserve it all!