Sometimes, getting through the day is the win.
Let’s be real, some days are just weird. Not dramatic enough to cry in a lecture hall, but not good enough to say “I’m fine” without lying a little.
Maybe it’s burnout. Maybe you forgot to drink water or you’re upset about an argument you had with your sibling or a roommate.
Either way, something’s off—and when you’re juggling school, work, deadlines and a group project that’s taking all your energy, it’s hard to just snap out of it.
This article is your rescue plan for the days when you’re too tired to deal with everything but still want to feel at least 5% more human.
No mood boards, mindfulness apps or guilt. Just weirdly effective resets you can try in under 10 minutes to help your brain pause and breathe for a bit.
Talk it out
Sometimes, you don’t need a big solution or a full-on life reset—you just need to have a simple, real chat with someone who gets you.
You can do it during that awkward 20-minute break between classes, while you’re walking home, making noodles or lying in bed before sleep.
Just talk about your day. Complain about your boring lecture or discuss that one random thought that popped into your head during class.
Tell them about something silly that happened or ask what they had for lunch. It doesn’t have to be deep—just real.
Even just hearing their voice can make you feel more grounded. You might end up laughing over something dumb or venting about something small that’s been bothering you.
These chats remind you that you’re not alone, even if everything else feels kind of heavy or messy. You’ll notice that even a short conversation can lift your mood more than you expected.
Take a short walk in nature
Nature is good for you—we all know that. But sometimes, getting yourself to go outside feels like a whole mission. The trick? Make it fun. Take a 10-minute walk, but turn it into something weird and wonderful.
Start noticing everything like you’re starring in a dramatic movie. Look at the squirrels—expert acrobats on a mission, stashing snacks like it’s doomsday.
There’s something calming about feeling the wind on your face, hearing birds argue in the trees or watching clouds do their thing. It pulls you out of your head and back into the world.
And if you’re at Humber Lakeshore, you’re extra lucky. Colonel Samuel Smith Park is right beside the campus, where you’ll find water, trees, trails, ducks (with an attitude) and much more!
It’s the perfect spot to zone out, walk slow and just let nature calm you down without saying a word.
Write it out
When your thoughts feel like a mess of tangled wires, one of the best things you can do is grab a notebook and just write.
Don’t worry about grammar or making it sound good—this isn’t an essay, it’s just you talking to yourself on paper.
Write exactly how you’re feeling, even if it’s just, “I don’t know why I’m so tired,” or “Everything feels like too much today.” Sometimes, as you write, you’ll start to notice patterns—like what’s really bothering you, what keeps coming up or what you’ve been holding in.
Just give yourself a few minutes. Even a few lines can bring a weird kind of relief—like you finally let some pressure out of your brain.
There’s something healing about turning your feelings into words. You’re not fixing everything at once, but you’re showing up for yourself. And that’s a pretty good start.
Lie on the ground. I’m serious!
Try lying flat on your back with your arms stretched out like a starfish, knees bent and feet flat on the ground—not on your bed or couch, but outside on the grass or any green space you can find.
Feeling the grass beneath you and the open sky above adds an extra layer of calm and connection to nature.
If you like, put on some calming music through your headphones to help you tune out distractions and relax even more.
This position, called ‘constructive rest,’ helps calm your nervous system and can lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
Spending just 5 to 10 minutes lying on the grass signals your body that it’s safe to relax and recharge.
During this time, focus on breathing slowly and deeply. Allow your body to fully relax and absorb the calming energy of nature—you’ll feel better before you know it.
Do the ‘opposite task’ trick
This might sound a bit counterintuitive, but hear me out. If you’re feeling drained from exams or an upcoming project, don’t try to focus harder or push through.
Instead, spend ten minutes doing something completely unrelated—fold your laundry, rearrange your desk, doodle a silly frog or do a little solo dance.
This is called the ‘opposite task’ trick—switching your brain’s focus to break the cycle of overwhelm. If you’re feeling emotionally heavy, pick a repetitive, calming task like doodling or colouring.
Doing this breaks the cycle your brain is stuck in and helps your nervous system reset.
Think of it like turning your brain off and on again—a quick reboot to refresh your mind.
One step at a time
Feeling better in 10 minutes isn’t about solving your life; it’s about creating just enough space to breathe. You’re not trying to go from 0 to 100—you’re just aiming for 0 to 10. And that small shift often opens the door to doing the next small thing and then the next.
On campus, it’s easy to feel isolated in your stress. Everyone else looks like they have it together. But the truth? Most students are walking around carrying something unseen. You’re not the only one feeling off—and you’re not weak for needing a quick emotional reboot.
So, the next time things feel a little too heavy, remember that you don’t need a whole plan. Just pick one thing from this list!
And if today’s 10-minute mood boost doesn’t do the trick? Try again tomorrow. Because every day, you get another shot at feeling just a little bit better.
You got this!
Feature image courtesy of Ashlyn Ciara on Unsplash
Looking for simple ways to reduce stress? Check out mindful summer activities for stress relief!
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