But Seriously, I Could Lose It At Any Time

It has been a Day, with a capital D. Between dealing with group projects, being sick, trying to find the perfect case on point, convincing my former place of work that, yes, they DO have to send me my w-2 form according to the law, switching insurance, and finding out that the new insurance requires that I pay out of pocket and send a claim for EVERY prescription, I am so over this day.

I've found that while Those Days were bad before, they're worse now with all of the extra pressure and stress of law school. I've had group projects and problems with research before, but usually that's the extent of the school stress. I'm sure that everyone deals with such stresses differently, but maybe if you're having one of Those Days, too, this will help.

#1. Watch TV. Yes, I know that the Academic Support people told us at the beginning of the year to limit our nights off to one night a week. But I'm not saying take a night off! I'm saying take 20-45 minutes to shut your brain down! Sometimes falling into the relaxing buzz of a laugh track while you're eating lunch is just what you need.

#2. Deal With It. Maybe I'm just completely OCD, but I make to-do lists all the time. People say it's because I like the feeling of checking things off, but I'm not really goal-driven, so that's not true. I just like seeing all my tasks laid out in front of me. When I can see what needs to be done, I'm far more likely to do it and not forget about it. And what you do today is one more thing you don't have to do tomorrow. Plus, when you're really stressed out, that feeling of "Well, there's ONE LESS thing on my plate," is amazing.

#3. Call someone. Maybe it's your mom, maybe it's your SO, maybe it's time and temperature. Hearing someone's voice can make you feel calmer. Also, when you get to speak your troubles out loud sometimes they don't sound so bad, and what was a tragedy can be turned into a comedy in the telling.

#4. Nap. Just say screw it. Get a half hour of sleep. Sometimes when you're under too much stress, your brain is breaking down anyway. Twenty minutes (be sure to set your alarm) can make all the difference. Not to mention the fact that between the hours of 2 and 4, your brain shuts itself off anyway. You might as well let it do so. It will recharge you and give you the get up and go you need.

#5. Exercise. Yes, I know that for someone who, up until last year, was pretty much sedentary, this is a bit preachy, but it's good for you! And you feel like you accomplished something! And it gets you away from the stressful situations that you're not ready to deal with. Plus, in the words of my favorite fictional lawyer, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't just kill their husbands!" Or their former places of work. Or the ASPCA people constantly outside my front door.