By Liza Chernobay
Aside from a sudden outburst of Christmas baubles, tacky bunting and dazzling lights all around London, November is that time of year when the wind gets crispier, the drizzle feels wetter, and deadlines start flooding student to-do lists. Frankly, returning back to campus ‘fresh’ after reading week doesn’t feel that fresh at all, and your friends’ rallying cry to hit the floor at Ministry sends the mind into an anxious spiral.
The truth is, feeling demotivated, anxious, and generally exhausted from student life at this stage of term is completely normal – typical, even. In fact, it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, because being human means experiencing a range of emotions, uplifting and not, and this is actually a good sign – it means that you are alive!
While binge-watching Netflix and indulging in chocolate cake can numb the difficult feelings for a short while, the last episode, or cake crumb, will inevitably bring you back into the tough reality you wished to escape.
However, there are a few practical things that you can implement into your daily routine to take care of your body and soul in the long run. Here is a compilation of my personal favourites, tested over the years, which help me regain my balance, positivity and motivation when life gets overwhelming.
When you struggle to concentrate:
1. Put on your headphones and tune in to White Noise on Spotify. Such vibrations not only help with focus, but also block off distracting background noises.
2. Try NSDR (Non Sleeping Deep Rest). This meditation technique is designed to help your body experience deep relaxation and re-charge effectively in just 10-15 minutes. I recommend using NSDR when you feel tired but really need to finish that last bit of reading, or when you didn’t sleep well enough and feel sluggish in the morning.
3. Take a break and go for a 15-minute walk, preferably somewhere green (Hello Lincoln’s Inn Fields!)
When you feel demotivated:
1. Dance to uplifting music! While on campus, feel free to shamelessly hide in the toilet cubicle and jiggle away to your favourite beat! My go-to tunes are Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and my friend Alice Markham’s “Powerful Lady”. Unbeatable, every time!
2. Practice gratitude, through meditation or journaling. I usually take a few moments after waking up to mentally reflect upon everything that I feel grateful for, or what had brought me joy the day before. Trust me, this simple practice will transform you into a more positive person overnight!
3. Make plans with your friends! Talking to people in real life will not only provide a much-needed emotional fulfilment, but also distract you from thinking about your own problems and bring perspective onto what truly matters. This doesn’t have to be anything crazy – just a little treat at the end of the week to keep your spirits up throughout the monotonous study routine.
When you feel anxious:
1. Swap your coffee for decaf, matcha or tea. As much as I love my morning coffee, unfortunately it makes me extra tense and anxious on days when I already feel uneasy. To me, a matcha latte or Earl Grey with a splash of oat milk are satisfying alternatives to a silky warm drink without the coffee jitters. On days when I want to avoid caffeine altogether, I usually drink mint tea or the Twinings Spiced Chamomile and Vanilla infusion.
2. Try the 4-7-8 breathwork: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7 and exhale for 8 counts. Bonus points if you engage your abdomen and diaphragm on the inhale and exhale, as this will help activate your vagus nerve and calm the parasympathetic nervous system. I usually aim for 10-15 rounds, but ideally, you’d want to practise until you feel a full sense of relief.
3. Take 5-10 minutes off, close your eyes, find a comfortable position and…meditate. My recent favourite meditation for anxiety release is the “Descend to Zero” meditation by Laura Silva Quesada, available on YouTube, but I also love guided meditations on Headspace and Insight Timer apps. Even if you don’t practise daily, introducing an occasional moment of peace into your day will prompt your mind to generate healthy, positive energy.
The above techniques are by no means permanent cures for challenging times, and sometimes, seeking professional help is best to properly address certain mental health experiences. However, as a human prone to feeling stressed and overwhelmed, I’ve learnt that taking care of your mind and body starts with the small things. Introducing meaningful habits into your daily routine and staying consistent with them will, therefore, invite long-term transformations and help you savour your student experience, no matter the season!
Illustration by Francesca Corno
