Welcome back to the long lines at the Hornet Bookstore, to the 100-paged syllabus; not to mention traffic in the parking garage. The beginning of the semester can be a very hectic time for students. Relaxation is probably not occupying your mind as much as say, finding a parking spot is, but a couple of these tips may help you keep your ‘ohm’ throughout the busy semester.

What’s the best way to beat stress? Bert Epstein, director of Psychiatric Services at the Sacramento State Student Health Center, said it’s exercise that will do the trick.

Ashley Dobson does just that. A sophomore music education major, she said after winter break it’s difficult for her to get used to the new workload of school and her job. Dobson said she copes with it all by running. She said training for half marathons helps her stay relaxed and gives her more energy. Who doesn’t love endorphins?

“I like it when it’s just me and the road,” Dobson said. “When I don’t run is when I’m stressed out.”

Epstein said an overloaded schedule is the main reason causing students to come in for relaxation sessions. He said balancing school, work and a social life often takes a toll on students who “don’t know when to cut back and realize what’s too much for them.”

Epstein said busy students tend to forget to take care of themselves, but said they should still try to eat healthy during the semester and avoid the intake of too much caffeine.

“I recommend taking some time for yourself away from school doing an activity you enjoy, whatever that activity is,” Epstein said.

Another way to relieve stress is by getting a massage. Steve Hodge, manager and massage therapist at Mellow Me Out, located at the University Union, said students come into the spa and complain of back pain on a regular basis. Hodge said of all the great remedies for back pain and a release of stress, nothing can be better than a massage at anytime of the year.

“Lying on the massage table, not doing anything and allowing someone else to do the work of releasing your muscles for you I think is the ultimate form of relaxation,” Hodge said.

Hodge said that the benefits of massages go beyond just relaxation, but actually promote better circulation and releases toxins that can cause your muscles to cramp up. A half hour massage at Mellow Me Out costs $35 and a full hour costs $65.

If you’re still broke after buying all those text books, not to worry. Mellow Me Out offers students three free 15-minute massages. The free massages must be scheduled through the Health Center. Hodge said that students can combine two of their three free massages to have one 15-minute session left over.

Communication is another tip Epstein said he gives frazzled students. He said it is important for freshmen who are away from home for the first time to familiarize themselves with the campus as much as possible, and to stay in touch with friends and family. For students buried in the business of class, he said making the time to actually spend time with friends will relieve a lot of stress. Other winding-down methods he gave are: mediation, prayer and breathing techniques.

“It’s important that students don’t isolate themselves in their own little worlds,” Epstein said. “Friends are important and people forget how much humor actually relieves stress.”

Adina Zerwig can be reached at [email protected]