As students go back to school, schedules are coming together, habits are formed and the stress can pile on. The start of a new school year is the perfect time to work some ways to relax and relieve stress into busy schedules and create healthy habits.

Some of the best ways to relieve stress are through fitness, nature and meditation. Here is a guide on ways you can relax and recharge your body when the stress of new classes kicks in:

Meditation
Meditation is the practice of concentrating on breathing, visualization or another focus in order to reduce stress, relax, increase awareness of the present moment and more. Meditation is a great way to center yourself, which can often be forgotten in the rush of college life. Meditation can be done in many different ways and does not require any outside resources. Both beginners and experienced meditators can benefit from the guidance of an app. Calm is a meditation app that allows you to set a goal such as building self-esteem, increasing happiness, learning to meditate, reducing stress, reducing anxiety, sleeping better, developing gratitude or improving focus. The app will then lead you through a selection of meditation practices that target your specific goal. Working meditation into your day can make immense differences in your mentality and focus.

Get Outside
Worcester and the surrounding area boasts trails and parks that are great when trying to get some fresh air, relax and experience nature. Hiking and biking trails are especially helpful in seeing the beauty of Central Massachusetts.

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center & Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England, and it is right in Worcester. It boasts more than 400 acres managed and owned by Mass Audubon. Trails are lined with informative signs and pass through all types of terrain, including woods, fields, streams and marsh. Going for a walk or hike along the trails is a great way to escape the stress of the city.

The Blackstone River Bikeway is a biking and running path that is 48 miles long and connects Worcester to Providence, R.I. The majority of the path runs along the Blackstone River, making for a scenic and relaxing ride.

Worcester also has 60 parks that total nearly 1,300 acres and offer a wealth of activities. Purchased in 1854, using public funds, the historic Elm Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers walking trails, a pond, two iconic bridges and tennis and basketball courts. You can also check out Cristoforo Colombo Park, the Worcester Common, Green Hill Park and Institute Park. For a full list of Worcester’s parks and their locations, visit worcesterma.gov/parks/city-parks.

Workout Classes
Workout classes are a great way to sweat out the stress. Sure, students attend class all day, but who says there isn’t time for another class? Workout classes are a fun and motivating way to relieve stress. Orangetheory Fitness is a high-intensity interval training workout that has a location in Shrewsbury. These classes combine running, biking and rowing to get your heart rate up. Elevate Strength & Performance on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester combines strength-training and nutrition-coaching services. At Elevate, the focus is on an overall healthy lifestyle, which is something college students are often not prioritizing.

Gym
Fitness classes are fun and effective, but they can get very pricey for students on a budget. That is when the fitness center at your school becomes useful. Many colleges have fitness centers on campus that offer classes, as well as long hours, so you can fit a workout into your busy schedule. But, the gym can be overwhelming to students not used to it. The best way to make the most of your time in the gym is by creating a workout routine. Check to see if your school’s gym has a trainer that can create a plan for you. If not, check out an app to create a workout. Get into your groove and let your time at the gym be an escape and a stress reliever.

College is a time where eating and working out can be erratic, stress piles on, mental health is not always a priority, and students can easily find themselves inside almost all day. Put your mind and body first and make time to relax.

Natalie Volo