How to Catch Your Breath in Ten Minutes or Less

It's junior year, so why deny the insanity that forms the foundation of our daily lives?  We sleep little.  We do do do do do do do do.  By this point, we've also probably realized that we can "do" more effectively with a sane mind and balanced stress levels.  So here's the question: how do we keep up with our lives while chilling out concurrently?

Follow these steps to sanity:

1. Turn on some music.  Pick music that soothes you and makes you feel comfortable.  (Not the time for scream-o by heavy metal friend).  I tend to gravitate towards "Salvation Song" by the Avetts.  If you're a podcast kind of person, pop on your Mugglecast, How Stuff Works, or Great Speeches in History - but only as background.

2. Put away that phone.  Turn the ringer on silent.  Do not look at it.  I pinky promise that the world will survive without you for ten minutes. 

3. Find something physical to do.  Lying still should only occur while you're sleeping.  It's no fun to waste your time trying not to move; you'll just end up fidgeting.  I like to stretch, do yoga, play with Play-do, braid things, color, squish stuff, do some easy cooking.  Just do something small so as to keep your body occupied.

4. Finally, keep in mind that the HOW you do something to relax is more important than the WHAT you do.  For your meazley ten minutes breathe slowly, deeply, and regularly.  Whatever task you're doing, act delibrately and slowly.  Boil over with intention.  If you focus on the task at hand, you won't think about anything else.

I promise that a nervous breakdown never did anyone any good.  Besides, spending ten proactive minutes relaxing could save upwards of 45 reactive minutes in tears. 

So breate, enjoy, and check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMgmL4mUGaw