Destress at the Library

Students enjoyed a moment of calm at the UTA Central Library on Tuesday, May 2. The Destress event gave people a brief time to escape from the stress of final exams and projects. 

Music played in the background to create a soothing atmosphere as students enjoyed snacks, drinks and hot tea. As part of a relaxing exercise, students could color a mandala. A mandala is a geometric arrangement of different symbols. Mandalas are used in some spiritual traditions, but they can be used to focus attention or as an aid to meditation.  

Navneeth Krishna, a computer science master's student, shared that it is important to take time out of your day so that you can renew your mind. 

"When we learn to destress, we can learn something new and refresh ourselves," Navneeth said. "I found out quite early that destressing is very crucial. I take 15 minutes of mindfulness every day to relieve the day's stress." 

Navneeth advises that mediation is an essential tool for self-care and should be done at least once a day. 

According to the Mayo Clinic's website, there are several ways to manage stress that can have several health benefits. 

Some of these stress management strategies include: 

• Getting regular physical activity 

• Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation yoga or tai chi 

• Keeping a sense of humor 

• Spending time with family and friends 

• Setting aside time for hobbies 

The Mayo Clinic also advises against static stress management methods, such as watching television, surfing the internet or playing video games. At first, they may seem relaxing, but they may increase stress over the long-term.  

It is also vital to eat a healthy balanced diet and avoid tobacco, excess caffeine, alcohol, and the use of illegal substances to reduce stress. 

Priyanka Cheepurupalli, a computer science master's student, shared Navneeth's thoughts about the importance of stepping away from the books for a few minutes. 

She noted that events like the one sponsored by the library allow a person to "take a break from everything and relax a bit so that the mind can get refreshed." 

Mindy Nguyen, a psychology major, stated that people need to take small steps to accomplish a goal so that one does not stress overseeing the big picture all at once. She added that taking regular breaks and pacing yourself as you study is critical. 

While exams are stressful, don’t let them consume you. Take small steps, breathe and relax.  

For more information about managing stress, visit the Mayo Clinic's website at https://www.mayoclinic.org or seek help from a physician.