Chunklet with Prickles and Goo

                 While stress may seem like an impossible obstacle to overcome, seeing that we face it in about everything we do, there are ways to sooth the savage beast. One way is to exercise. Yes, it’s as simple as that! Now you may say “oh, I’m too busy to go to the gym” or “I hate working out”, but you don’t really need to do much. Doctors and researchers recommend that getting at least thirty minutes of physical activity a day can greatly decrease you risk of developing depression as well as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Not only does it decrease you stress levels, but as you work out, your body releases endorphins that make you feel happier and more awake. If a more potent solution is required, a doctor can prescribe an antidepressant that can do an array of things such as prevent the reuptake of serotonin, leading to a longer feeling of happiness. However, these drugs do not come without side effects and can sometimes cause the user to become even more depressed. In my experience, I never needed to take medication for my anxiety. I wanted to find a safer and healthier alternative to alleviating my stress that wouldn’t interfere with school. My therapist recommended that I worked out more. Nothing too crazy, just going for a run or a walk around campus or swimming some laps. At first, I didn’t feel any different. I still felt like I was on pins and needles everywhere I went. However, as I began to become a little more active, in the gym and on campus, I started to feel like a new person. The little things that use to drive me crazy like test and new assignments started to feel like a normal task. I didn’t feel like I would explode if I didn’t tend to them immediately. I didn’t feel like I was about to have a mental breakdown. As well as feeling better on the inside, I started to eat healthier and the zits that I would get from stress started to disappear. I was a whole new person.