If you were unlucky enough to have a high school experience similar to mine, with more time spent in class than asleep in a bed, more extracurriculars than could fit on a one-page resume, and not to mention the nights that had more hours of homework than there were hours until class the next day, then college was a whole new dimension of stress. Along with just as much homework and just as little sleep, there’s a complete stranger as a roommate, a diet of Nasties french toast sticks and microwave noodle soups, unreliable washing machines that eat your socks, and the elephant in the room, the self-motivation required to get yourself up out of bed, through the twenty minute walk in the snot-freezing weather, and into a lecture hall. But in the midst of all of these varieties of stress, there is the oasis known as stress management. Rose House’s recent massage offering was a breath of fresh air that gave me a moment to sit back, or rather, forward, and relax. Stress management is the most important skill that students learn in college, but also the least acknowledged. The ten minute massage is sometimes all you need, as long as that break is frequent, in order to feel healthy, calm, and energized. So always try to take just a few moments every day as a stress break to reset and feel your best.

If you’d like guidance on taking breaks like the one described, the app “Calm” is a good place to start, and a subscription is free for Cornell students. For more information, see https://www.calm.com/cornell.