Choosing Healthy Coping Mechanisms Over “Quick Fixes”

Being in school while balancing everything else in life is stressful—there’s no way around that. Some days it feels like the deadlines, papers, and expectations are all stacked on top of each other. I hear people say things like, “Oh, I know you had a rough day at work, I’ll get you some wine,” and while they mean well, that doesn’t sit right with me. Numbing stress isn’t the same as managing it.

Instead of reaching for quick fixes, I’ve been intentionally building habits that help me actually cope and take care of myself.

Meditation & The Calm App

Meditation has become a non-negotiable for me. Using the Calm app, I’ve been carving out moments to slow down, breathe, and re-center myself. Even ten minutes makes such a difference in how I approach my day.

Moving My Body

Working out has been a game-changer for managing stress. Whether it’s the gym, a StairMaster session, or a walk, movement clears my head. It’s less about “fitness goals” and more about creating space for my body to release tension.

Eating Clean & Rest

Stress is so much harder to manage when I’m running on sugar crashes and no sleep. I’ve been eating cleaner and really committing to 8 hours of rest. It’s simple, but it’s probably the most powerful shift.

Saying No

Another coping mechanism I’ve had to embrace is the power of no. I used to say yes to everything—every invite, every request. Now, if it doesn’t align with what I want or if it drains me, I give myself permission to decline. Protecting my peace matters.

Healthy coping doesn’t mean perfect. It means simplifying, being intentional, and doing the things that actually help me recover instead of escape.

So when stress piles up, I’m learning to ask myself: What will actually restore me right now? And more often than not, it’s meditation, movement, rest, or a simple boundary.