Stressed Out? I’ll Fix That

Spring semester is not the time of year for freedom. It’s a perfect time for stress, final papers, graduation headaches, post-job searches, and general panic…but not for relaxation, meditation, and health.

Most of us are so busy thinking eight steps ahead that we forget to see what’s right in front of us. We’re exhausted, strung out, anxious…basically Lindsay Lohan’s body after a two day bender.

How’s a girl supposed to find some clarity during such a vague time? One way that’s guaranteed not to work is the old drugs and alcohol trick. They may help for the moment, but next thing you know you’re shaving your own head and getting random tattoos and showing up to parties without undies.

As much as I love action and adventure, I’m a big fan of spiritual, mental, and bodily health. I freely admit to being a Type A kind of girl, and that’s why I have to work every day to make sure I’m not running myself ragged. It’s taken a nice long while, but I think I’m finally finding my solid ground.

Frankly, one chick’s solution is another chick’s annoyance, but I thought I’d share some tricks and tips that have helped me regain balance during times such as Spring Semester Freak-Out. Unlike those caffeine pills that weirdo in the library keeps trying to push your way, these are free, good for you, and the only side effect is a general sense of well being.

The first part of this homemade remedy set centers on a book. I know, I know. Book is one four letter word none of us feel like uttering right now, but just stay with me for a second. I was handed this tiny volume during a real shitastic patch in my life, and I can freely say that it’s been a part of my daily thinking ever since.

The Prophet is more poetry than prose, and was published in 1923 by Kahlil Gibran, translated into English around the 1950’s and gained popularity during the ‘70’s. Divided up into short chapters such as “On Work”, “On Joy” “On Pain”, Gibran muses over life in beautiful, minimalist stories. His philosophy is at once clean and profound, distilling life down to its most basic simplicities. If you end up agreeing with him, sweating the small stuff is easier to avoid. The difference between a B and B- isn’t as big of a deal when you look at the philosophy behind the whole idea of ‘work’.

It’s not a magic book. It won’t rearrange your life, but will hopefully give you a few small moments every day to reflect on what living is really about.

…Plus, whipping it out on a bench or a bus is guaranteed to get you a look or two from that cute philosophy major or free-spirited nature boy.