If stress burned calories, I’d be a supermodel by now.
But since it doesn’t (unfortunately), I’ve learned to manage it before I transform into a walking headache. Here’s my extremely professional guide to not losing my mind:
1. I Break Things Into Tiny Pieces (Because My Brain Refuses Otherwise)
When I see a huge assignment, my brain says: “Okay bye.”
So I trick it.
Not: “Study computer science chapter 1–8.”
Absolutely not.
Instead:
Read ONE page
Highlight ONE thing
Write maybe TWO lines (if I feel alive)
Suddenly it feels doable, and I feel like a productivity legend.
2. I Take Mini Breaks Before My Brain Starts Smoking
When my stress levels hit “overheating laptop” mode, I stop.
My break options:
Make tea
Walk around like a confused NPC
Talk to someone (while pretending I’m fine)
One tiny break and boom — I’m back from the dead.
3. I Sleep (Yes, Actually Sleep)
I used to believe I could survive on vibes and 4 hours of sleep.
Spoiler: I cannot.
Sleeping is basically my “restart the system” button.
After a good sleep, everything feels less like a disaster movie.
4. I Write Things Down Before My Brain Explodes
Keeping everything in my mind = guaranteed mental chaos.
So I write down:
Tasks
Deadlines
Thoughts
My entire life crisis
It clears my head instantly. 10/10. Highly recommend.
5. I Chill Without Feeling Guilty (Or I Try To)
Sometimes the best way to deal with stress is to pretend stress doesn’t exist.
I let myself:
Read
Scroll memes
Talk to cousins
Stare at the wall like a philosophical potato
Relaxing is not optional. Relaxing is survival.
6. I Talk to Someone Before the Meltdown Begins
Sometimes I just need to rant like:
“I HAVE SIX THINGS TO DO, TWO PLOTS TO UNDERSTAND, AND ZERO BRAIN CELLS.”
And magically… I feel better.
Talking helps. Even if the other person says nothing except “same.”
7. I Remind Myself: This Is Temporary (Even When It Feels Like Doom)
Every exam, every assignment, every stress attack feels like the end of humanity…
until it’s over.
So I tell myself:
“This won’t matter in a week.”
It usually calms me down. Or at least stops me from dramatic-crying.