With finals right around the corner, some students are stressing. Stress can affect the way students study, and this can also affect how well they do on their finals. It is important to take study breaks, as well as a little bit of time to unwind.

Sometimes, students who worry too much about finals find it nearly impossible to concentrate.
Former nursing student and Spirit Club member, Carlynn Caraang, recalls the stress she dealt with during finals, “Being a nursing student, you have to get really good grades in math courses. On top of that, I was on a Spirit Club scholarship, which required me to attend all of the school games while maintaining my grades. Talk about stress.”

That’s when you need to take a break. Here are a few ways to relieve so stress. Put those books down and try one of these:

1. Exercise or do stretches. Get that blood flowing with some jumping jacks, sit-ups, or dancing. Dancing is a great exercise. However, if you don’t feel like breaking a sweat, do some stretching. This will help relieve some of the tension in your body.
2. Take a walk. Get out there and really take time to actually see what’s going on in your neighborhood.
3. Watch a funny movie. Studies have shown that laughter does relieve stress. Grab a tub of popcorn, pop in a funny movie, and laugh your stress away.
4. Take a bath. Get some bath beads and light some candles; treat yourself to an aromatherapy bath. Make it a bubble bath if you want. Warm water and soothing fragrances are sure to complete the mood. If you have a little or portable radio, you play some relaxing songs.
5. Get a massage. You don’t have to be a lady to get a massage, so guys don’t be embarrassed to pamper yourselves. If you can go to a spa and get a massage, then do it. Heaven on Earth Salon and Day Spa is a spa right next to HPU’s downtown campus. Allure Hair Studio & Day Spa, Genesis 7 Salon & Day Spa, Golden Plumeria Spa, and Salon & Body Co. are within walking distances in Waikiki. There are a number of spas all around O’ahu. Look in a phone book for one near you. If you can’t spend too much on a massage, you can always get a massage from a massage school that might offer a less expensive alternative. Just to name a few, there is Aloha Academy of Massage, Hands Toward Heaven, Hawai‘i Massage Academy, and Hawai‘i Massage College. Most can be found in the phone book. If you can convince your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife to give you a massage, that’s even better.
6. Go to the beach. Like they say, “Lucky you like Hawai‘i.” The islands of Hawai‘i are surrounded by beautiful beaches. Relax on the sand, or catch a wave or two. If you have the time, you can spend all day there and barbequewith your friends and family. If you’re short on time, grab a towel and go for a quick swim.

However you decide to relieve your stress, just remember to take a break from studying to unwind a little. Go into your exam with confidence and you should do well. Good luck on your finals.