We can all say life gets stressful. Your social life, home life, and relationships with people, (which is one of the bigger effects on someone’s personal stability) can get very chaotic. Keeping yourself on track and on the pathway to success can be very stressful and exhausting. A student’s mental health is important while juggling school, work, and whatever else is going on in one’s life. Having time for your body and mind to relax and unwind is certainly essential in keeping good grades or being able to put your all into whatever you do for work. 

Have you ever thought about your time spent on social media platforms such as Instagram or Snapchat? Many resources have said that social media has a huge impact on students and employees self-esteem and sleep schedule. For example; you come home from school or work and what do you do? Usually, go straight on your phone or computer and connect back onto social media. A survey put together by Instagram has said, “The average time spent on social media is 2-4 hours a day” and that’s not including YouTube, Netflix, and more popular entertainment sites.  

During an interview with Sydney Jackson she has stated, “Usually after school, I’ve started going outside and breathing the fresh air and reflecting on my day.” Sydney has started cutting back her screen time by trying to get outside more and finding out new ways to have fun off of her phone, “I’ve cut three almost four hours of my screen time on my phone.” 

Some have started turning to essential oils to help relax. Studies say essential oils such as lavender, rose, and clary sage oil can be used to reduce stress and anxiety. After the peak population of essential oils, there have been more and more scents of oils. The market has gotten fancier and started making silly but effective oils like Creamsicle, Cotton Candy, and so many more. 

Ways to use essential oils are in the bathtub ( just 2-5 drops is enough), smelling it from the bottle, or you can put a drop on your wrist and behind your ear. Doctors and manufacturers have made the oils very strong, and too much can make you sick.   When using essential oils, bath salts, and other oils and scrubs you have to take caution because you can get sick and or dehydrated

Another way to relax after a stressful day is to listen to music and chill. Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet, classical music. Some people like to listen to rap, some like to listen to rock. While at home you can listen to music while doing homework. Listening to music also can get you off your phone and entertain you while you can clean, do homework, even hang out with friends outside. 

Sydney also said, “My grades have gotten at their best yet.” She said she is glad she took the leap to change her bad habit. 

Stay off your phone once you get home and do your homework while listening to music and maybe even put on essential oils. Healthy screen time should be 3-4 hours a day. If you struggle with giving up your phone you should try some of these things and see how it helps your grades.