Being Present While Drinking from a Fire Hose
The 2024-2025 academic year is underway, and with it comes a multitude of things demanding your time and attention. Classes, homework, spending time with roommates, hanging out with other friends, classes, homework, chapel, various campus events, classes, homework, athletic practices and games, meetings for clubs and other student groups; did I mention classes and homework? Simply put, the beginning of the academic year can feel like you are drinking from a fire hose, and it is easy to feel overstimulated and overwhelmed by all that is going on. As a result, it can be even easier to get swept up in that and lose your sense of being present in the moment.
You might be thinking you understand the concept of being present but are not really sure what it looks like practically and how to do it. There are many ways to clear your head and press the reset button, some of which can be done quickly and some of which require more time but are worth the investment. Your situation will dictate which options might make the most sense for you, but all are good to have available in your repertoire.
1. Take some deep breaths
This one definitely falls into the faster category but can be a very useful tool. Sometimes when you are feeling overwhelmed, the best thing is to simply take some slow, deep breaths to physically reset your mind. Intentional slow and deep breaths calm the body and mind, and that is invaluable in the midst of a stressful situation.
2. Exercise or go for a walk or run
Not only is it good for you to exercise, but exercise is another way to reduce mental stress. If you do not have time for a structured workout, taking a walk or going for a run can be an equally effective way to be physically active and clear your mind.
3. Spend time with God
Of course, a great way to reduce stress is spending time with God. This can take on many forms, but completing a devotional, reading your Bible, spending time in prayer, or singing worship songs is beneficial in a number of ways. You will very likely feel some weight off your shoulders after spending time with God, and investing in your relationship with Him is always a good use of your time.
4. Take time for a longer meal with friends
This one might feel counterintuitive on the surface, as it is a time commitment in the moment and takes time away from doing other things, but sometimes taking time to reset over some food with friends is exactly what you need. I know this was one way for me to decompress during stressful times in college, and having stress-free conversation with friends is often a good way to get a fresh perspective on your day.
5. Put your phone away
It can be really easy to feel like escaping to your phone is the answer when you are stressed out, but a lot of the time, spending time on your phone ultimately is more like wasting time on your phone. That has the potential to compound the issue, as your responsibilities will still be hanging in the balance but now you have less time to accomplish them. Being intentional about not automatically escaping to your phone is one of the best ways to be present.
Being present in the moment is one of the most important things you can do when entering into a new season of life. Being present allows you to get the most out of the things you are experiencing, which will likely help you enjoy those things more as well. It can certainly be difficult to push the pause button in the midst of chaos, as the feeling of busyness often follows a spiral trend, but taking that step back to see the bigger picture can completely change a situation and allow you to be the best you that you can be.
