Trying out other OST's - Danbi's "Little Things to Stay Sane"

Danbi's OST Blog, called "Little Things to Stay Sane" touched on a topic similar to my own. It spoke of a few things that everyone can do to get through the stress that schoolwork makes people feel. Reading her blog was especially helpful because as I was, I was nearing the end of my own First Quarter, and saw a mountain of work ahead of me. Throughout the week that followed, I tried several of the tips Danbi gave, and they actually did a lot to help my mental health.

One thing that Danbi mentions is that when we are under a lot of stress from school, the environment we put ourselves in is usually a stressful one. Changing the environment you're in to be more peaceful and relaxing can affect how you are feeling as well. Danbi did this by having some snacks nearby, lighting a candle, and playing some relaxing music. I did all three of these things, and they worked amazingly. They brought me a sense of comfort, that helped me complete my work in better quality as well as more efficiently. Generally, when I work, I have papers all over my desk, and cables for charging the devices I'm using everywhere as well. I also tried to organize these things up a little, creating neat piles where everything was. Not only did this add to a better environment, but it also helped me save lots of time that I would generally use looking for a certain worksheet or paper I need for my class. Danbi's blog was already helping me in more than way, and that was really exciting to see!

The posts from Danbi's blog that followed the last one talked about what to do in the breaks that you take from your work. I usually spend that time playing videogames with my friends or watching some TV. Additionally, I don't usually take breaks in the middle of my work. I try my hardest to complete all my work, and then I go and do other activities. However, Danbi recommended taking some breaks with some physical activity in them. So, on weekends right before lunchtime, I would take a break from my work and go on a run. Yes, I felt tired physically afterward, but after drinking some water, eating something, and relaxing for a few minutes, I found myself to be very clear-headed and ready to jump back into the work I had left behind. 

Overall, Danbi's blog did a great job of introducing new things into my lifestyle. It makes sense that the environment you're in would affect your mood, but it isn't something I ever think about. Since then, I have kept a decent environment every time I sit down to work and have found myself not only in a better mood but more times to talk and relax with my friends afterward. Starting to run in my breaks also has helped my mind greatly. However, even more than that it has been great for my physical conditioning. I feel more physically active after trying this for a few days, so the benefits of taking some physically active breaks have been two-fold for me. With that in mind, I know that I'm going to continue to keep these habits in my lifestyle going forward.