YouAlberta
Terrence
Spending time outside always helps me unwind. I feel more grounded, recharged and able to take on tasks, particularly after walking my dog and spending time in nature. The simple act of moving from inside to outside is a physically grounding process. I enjoy it.
Ashley
I like to read a book -- a non-school related book!
Yann
Ce qui me fait sentir mieux après quelque chose de stressant, c'est d'écouter la musique, parler avec des amis et jouer aux jeux vidéos.
Fyruz
I love to play on my Switch after completing a big task. I especially love to get some of my friends on board for some online play. My favourites are cozy games like Dreamlight Valley or Minecraft, which are fun but also great slow-paced games to de-stress after a challenging midterm or a big paper!
Mel
After completing stressful tasks, which usually happens at night (I’m a night owl through and through), I love to make a big cup of tea and snuggle up on the couch with my heated blanket. I’ll typically put on some of my favourite music to decompress and spend some time chilling out. I also admit that sometimes, when I’m stressed, my workspace gets a bit untidy – so I find it helpful to do some cleaning or tidying so that I feel a bit of a reset.
Rebeca
After I’ve submitted a paper or written an exam, I like to unwind for a bit before moving on to the next assignments and responsibilities. I’ve learned that taking breaks is a great way to care for my mental health and be more productive in the long term. One way I do this is to go on walks (inside when it is too cold!) and listen to music (80s rock in particular). I also like to get a snack on campus as a reward for accomplishing a stressful task.
After finishing my readings and papers, I like to dance at home to release all the tension from academics. I enjoy dancing cumbia and salsa while singing along.
Marlena
To put it simply, the satisfaction of knowing I’ve completed the task is relieving. It feels like a weight has been lifted and brings me immense joy. It makes watching my favourite shows, such as How I Met Your Mother, much more enjoyable. It makes me feel less guilty of doing other tasks because it won't be procrastination anymore. I can finally relax without that lingering sense of unfinished work hanging over me!
Carla
After a stressful task such as an exam period, I always give myself the small treat of taking a holiday off. Rather than be stressed about being productive, I let myself be lazy: take a hot shower, do skincare...and binge-watch all the shows!