Relieving Stress

▲ Aly Beaman, Pretty Prairie, stretches before her workout. Beaman used working out to help her relax after a long day.

Photo provided by Aly Beaman

Stress levels are at an all time high but students find different ways to cope with it all.

With the Coronavirus spreading, quarantine being enforced, and the start up of online schooling, a gigantic load of stress has been put on everyone’s shoulders.

Students packed up their dorm rooms and headed home while also having to worry about how their schooling was going to continue. This added increased stress levels to many students in different ways but is without a doubt affecting everyone in the community drastically.

People are beginning to struggle with everyday life as they’re becoming fearful of what is going to happen in the future.

Citizens and students everywhere are being affected by the changing environment around them. During these stressful times it is good to have ways to calm anxiety. Whether that’s playing an instrument, TikTok, video games, painting, or sports these activities, these activities can assist in helping people calm their growing anxiety.

Aly Beaman, Pretty Prairie, uses exercise as her means of stress relief.

“As an athlete, I always had an outlet for my problems through practice and games but since starting college I’ve had to find a new routine to keep myself healthy physically and mentally,” Beaman said. “I find just moving my body at least 15 minutes a day helps me stay focused and feel better throughout my day. Stretching has become a huge part of my routine because work leaves me super sore and exhausted.”

Different people find their own individual ways when it comes to finding happiness during the stay-at-home order.

Michael Mains, Pretty Prairie, has multiple ways of coping with his anxiety during these scary times. He primarily uses hunting and music as his release for stress.

“College has always been a huge stressor for me. I’ve never really been that good at school honestly, but I do love my major. I sometimes just need to relax and I mostly do that with hunting,” Mains said. “With COVID-19 added on top of my usual classes and baseball it has caused everything to be even harder somehow.”

Mains along with many others here in Kansas use hunting as a stress relief because they’ve been doing it since they were little.

“I think the reason it’s so relaxing to me is just the peaceful surroundings. I don’t even need to have a successful hunt in order to be happy. I just love to be secluded in nature,” Mains said.

Another stress relief for Mains is music, it helps to calm his nerves. Mains said he’s been playing music since he was rather young and taught himself how to play all of his instruments.

“I’ve always loved music, it’s been a huge part of who I am all throughout my life,” Mains said. “When I play it helps me focus on something I truly enjoy. In all honesty, I’m really lucky to have the stress relievers that I have because with the stay-at-home order in place I can still practice my hobbies at home, away from others. I don’t have to go anywhere around a large group of people, I can just go to the woods or into our instrument room and feel at peace.”

Though these times are incredibly stressful and scary, students will always find a way to continue their lives and continue being happy, no matter what it takes.

◄ Michael Mains, Pretty Prairie, shoots his rifle long range. Mains showed off his skills by shooting up to 400 yards.

Photo by Regan LaRue

▲ Mains calculates the adjustments on his 22-250 to hit his target at almost 500 yards. Mains explained the math of MOA while relieving stress outside of the house.

Photo by Regan LaRue

► Michael Mains, Pretty Prairie, plays his electric guitar. Mains played “Under Your Scars” by Godsmack.

Photo by Regan LaRue