Take it Easy: Quick Ways to Relax Every Day

Student life comes with a ton of responsibilities: alongside reading lists that never seem to stop growing and assignment due dates around every corner, we’re tasked with shaping our personal senses of independence in one of the largest cities in the world. All this considered, also finding the much-needed time to relax can feel daunting.

With that in mind, we have some simple, approachable strategies to implement throughout the day that take little effort, but make a pleasant difference:

Walk to school

Although some LSE accommodations are further from campus than others, all are within walking distance. Taking the time in the morning or evening to walk to or from school is an excellent low impact exercise, gives your mind an opportunity to wander, and cuts down on transportation costs (financial health is important too!). Challenge yourself to walk without headphones and listen to London's streets.

Cook yourself a meal

Although creative endeavors like drawing, writing, or knitting are wonderful activities, it can feel overwhelming to schedule time into the day for them. Finding an interesting, doable weeknight recipe (ten ingredients or less!) and cooking yourself a meal is a great way to fill the creative niche and use your hands for something that isn’t typing. It also allows you to better your skills at something—a confidence booster. Even better is cooking for flatmates and friends: it feels lovely to share things you’ve made with people you care for.

Make cookie dough in bulk for future daily cookies

One of my favorite things to do is make a batch of cookie dough, roll it into balls, and then freeze them all. Whenever I want a sweet, I can easily throw one in the oven. A warm, fresh cookie is a comforting treat to look forward to after a long day of studying.



Pop into a museum or gallery

Wherever you live in London, you are likely near a free museum or gallery—and if not, the LSE campus is surrounded by them. When you need a break from studying, pop into one! You’ll leave having learned something new, and with a slightly altered perspective, a new eye for your surroundings, and certainly a renewed sense of calm.

Stretch

The constant sitting-in-one-position lifestyle that accompanies academic demands can take a physical toll. Taking a break during study sessions to do simple stretches helps ease physical tension, gets you in touch with your body, and releases feel-good chemicals in your brain. Linked are some neck stretches and arm stretches that you can easily do without moving from your chair.

Sit in a park

One of London’s loveliest features is its wide allotment of urban green space. Spending time in nature has proven mental health benefits, and there is an additional joy to observing London’s interesting inhabitants (and fantastic street style). Bring a friend for a chat, and you’ve also got a social activity that respects the sanctity of your wallet.

Listen to a podcast

If you want entertainment and/or to learn something new, but your eyes are burning from staring at a computer screen, podcasts are a great resource to turn to. Podcasts have it all: fiction and nonfiction, interviews and serials, meditations, and even some audiobooks. And they’re free! You can also listen to them while engaging in any of the activities above.

Lauren

Lilian Knowles House resident