We all experience stress from time to time; especially during this time of year. Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. In Health Initiatives, we want to help you thrive by introducing you to new ways to relieve stress in your daily life. We spoke to your peers across campus to learn how they de-stress during the end of the semester to help inspire you to do the same!

Tiffany Montgomery, 3rd-year Computer Engineering major said, “If I’m pressed for time, I’ll walk to class without my headphones on and my phone tucked away. I try to be mindful of what’s going on and take a breath. The hammocks are also amazing and are a great way to relax before class.”

Tristan Gaskins, 4th-year Mechanical Engineering said, “I like to go chill in some of the more nature-y parts of campus, either via hammock, bench or blanket. Some places I go are the "forest" between Howey and Manufacturing Related Disciplines Complex (MRDC), the garden at the top of Skiles stairs, the CULC roof, the courtyard at the bottom of Biotech, the Towers/Glenn Quad, and the Burger Bowl. Overall, just somewhere I can see animals and not hear only police sirens or people.”

Andrea Sagredo Barrio, 4th-year Spanish international student said, “I have taken up yoga and boxing with the GT boxing club. It’s been a fun way to stay fit and reduce stress at the same time, plus it’s on a weekly basis so it’s something I can do consistently. We’ve even had some competitions off-campus, which have been really fun.”

Cece Lu, 1st year Neuroscience major said, “I take a hammock nap at least once a week honestly. I also play piano, so going to the pianos around campus is nice. Some other classics for me are running or working out in general, yoga, or if you’re like me and not a very active person, drawing/painting and reading- any of those hobbies where you can get really into them and turn off your brain for a bit. Also, sometimes when I’m too lazy to do any of that I’ll just lie in bed and listen to music with headphones, focusing only on the music. It’s kind of a pseudo-meditation, but gen-Z style.”

Minju Kwon, 4th-year Computational Media major said, “I like playing volleyball! I’m not in a club or anything, but a few times a week at the end of the day I’ll meet up with some friends on the fourth floor of the Campus Recreation Complex, and we play there. It’s relaxing and refreshes my mind after a long day of classes, plus it’s a good way to get a nice dose of exercise while having fun at the same time.

Managing stress looks different for everyone and it’s important that you find the strategies that work best for you. You can learn more about stress reduction tips and strategies at healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/stress. Whether you’re interested in sports, arts, meditation, or just enjoying the beautiful campus views, Georgia Tech has something for everyone. Don’t let the stress of finals overwhelm you- this spring, be sure to take some time for yourself and find new strategies to limit your stress.