How students unwind and beat the stress

Long drives, walk through museums, a hot bath or meditation — students find different ways to stay calm and rejuvenate themselves amid hectic schedules.

Here are some ways students are trying to tackle stress and mental health issues.

Walk through an art museum

Hritam Mukherjee, a third-year English Journalism student of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication Delhi, likes to dissociate with people and have some alone time at art museums, particularly Ghare Baire when he is in Calcutta. “I started going around art museums, looking through the paintings and making notes on my phone, which later helps me write my blog. Museums are my go-to place when I am overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or need to introspect. Despite being a public place, museums are never crowded. I spend hours there. I keep my phone on aeroplane mode so that no one can disturb me. When unable to visit museums, I take a stroll through the second-hand book stores at Golpark,” Hritam said.

Journaling

Tina Dahiya, a third-year Clinical Psychology student of SGT University, Gurugram, likes to collect her thoughts in a journal. “Journaling has helped me during the pandemic because it was easy to just note down thoughts that made me anxious or were difficult to deal with. This allowed me to process my thoughts better. I’d recommend this to anyone as it has helped me recover from my dark days. This is a practice that I can continue with whenever and wherever without the fear of getting judged,” Tina said.

Hot bath

Arshiya Jalota, a third-year Liberal Arts student at OP Jindal Global University, does not just pen down her uncomfortable feelings in a journal but also follows it up with a steaming bath. “I write in a journal when I feel low. I also like to meditate while taking a hot bath. This has become a ritual for me. It calms me down when I am anxious. Journaling is helpful because I can express my feelings without anyone getting to know me,” Arshiya said.

Meditation

Pratyusha Bhattacharya, a Class XII Science student of Nava Nalanda High School, meditates for 10 minutes every day to deal with stress. “The pandemic took a toll on our mental health. Meditation helps me calm down and deal with anxiety. I learned from my mother's yoga instructor and started with two minutes, gradually increasing it to 10 minutes. It gives me mental peace. It has helped me tackle academic pressure. It boosts my focus and concentration and improves it,” Pratyusha said.

Long drives

Ujjwal Sharma, a third-year law student at OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, loves to go on long drives. “Going on long drives helps me collect my thoughts and gives me a sense of peace. I open my windows, play my favourite tracks and feel the fresh air on my face as I drive. This refreshes me and brings back my focus on important things I need to finish before deadlines,” Ujjwal said.

Decluttering the room

Riddhi Singh, a 2021 History graduate from Gargi College, Delhi University, arranges clothes in her cupboards and cleans her room to rejuvenate herself. “Decluttering and organising my room is the most destressing activity for me. Given the online classes and deadlines, I need to have a routine that is productive yet relaxing. I keep Sundays for this. It gives me a sense of fulfillment. It takes my mind away from thoughts that worry me. I believe that our personal space is an extension of our state of mind, so cleaning and organising have always helped me feel better about my existence,” said Riddhi, who is taking a gap year.

Playing an instrument

Deepanshi Gupta, a first-year master’s in Psychology student from Ambedkar University, Delhi, plays the guitar in between classes and assignments. “This practice might not help in the long term but for the time being it helps me to clear my head,” said Deepanshi.