Undergraduate Blog / Career Development

Stress Management

This blog post was written by Peer Career Ambassador, Pranjal Joshi ‘19.

A Babson student seemingly deals with stress on a consistent basis, may it come from classes, projects, group work, job search, relationships, business ventures, etc. Being in a high stress environment is no one’s choice but sometimes we cannot avoid it, especially as a full-time business student. There have been instances where I’ve seen (and have done myself) students saying, “I don’t even have time to relax anymore. I have to schedule in some de-stress time on my GCal.” However, this actually works!

Here are some tips on how to relax in a stressful environment (even if it is for a little while):

Allow Yourself to Take Breaks

Take a break in between working on assignments by watching something unrelated to what you’re working on! Things like stand-up comedy, funny sitcoms/television shows, and videos of dogs (personal favorite) are super helpful in distracting you from stress. Not only do these help with relaxing, but they also allow you to recharge your brain and get back to working on that assignment with refreshed ideas and thoughts.

If you do not want to doze off, then watch something related to what you’re working on. Some examples can include documentaries, short and informative videos, or interviews of inspirational people to keep your brain alert. Hopefully this will give you new ideas and inspire you.

Yoga and Breathing Exercises

Being stressed out can lead to breathing troubles. If you notice yourself breathing quicker and heavier, try some breathing exercises! Many guided meditation and breathing videos on YouTube exist: you might be overwhelmed on which one to watch (I’m sure whichever you pick will be helpful).

You could also practice yoga while doing the breathing exercises to stretch out your muscles. If you like yoga, there is an on-campus organization called Babson Yoga that hosts off and on-campus guided yoga sessions so be sure to keep an eye out.

Find an Outlet

There are many things you can do to release stress. Many people like to go to the gym a couple of times a week to keep their stress levels low. Exercise not only helps with stress reduction but also with increasing the blood flow to your brain and the rest of your body. A quick workout can refresh your mind!

If you’re not into working out, take time to do what you usually like to do in your free time, like drawing, writing, singing, or playing an instrument. You do not have to draw something really good or write an amazing book: something plain and simple will do the trick because this is for you and no-one else.

Finally, talking. It is a great outlet for stress, as bottling up stressful feelings can be unhealthy. Find a close friend, parent, relative, or mentor that you trust and just talk to them about what’s stressing you out. They may not be able to give professional advice, but having someone who is willing to listen to you goes a long way. Other resources on campus can help you as well, such as the Wellness center, which offers confidential professional counseling and therapy.

Of course, do not limit yourself to just these three tips because there are way more out there. Find something that suits you and try to make it a part of your daily routine. Spend an hour a day working out, breathing/meditating, having ‘me-time’, etc. Below are some links that will lead you to organizations that can help you de-stress:

Wellness Center information.

Webster Center hours.

Babson Yoga Facebook group (if you’re interested).