Being able to get up every day, go to classes, keep up with your friendships, relationships, family, AND keep a balanced diet can be a whirlwind sometimes. It’s okay to have those days where you’re feeling overwhelmed; we’re all human. To be the best version of yourself, lower those stress levels and show your mind, body, and soul some love.
Everyone needs self-love in their lives; it’s an essential part of being a young adolescent in 2025. Here are some ways to destress and places to go to if school has got you ripping your hair out.
One of my favorite places to go when I am feeling stressed is Audubon Park. The park is the perfect place to not only get out of the dorms or studying but also to get a few extra steps in. By walking in Audubon, you are disconnecting from whatever is causing you stress and reconnecting with nature, which benefits you psychologically. You are helping your mind and body at the same time.
If you’re not feeling an outside walk, don’t worry – I still have lots of other recommendations for a brain break. Some of the most popular cafes to go to are down the street on Feret. These coffee shops include Mojo’s Cafe, French Truck Coffee, and The Rook, but I also wanted to recommend some shops that are just one streetcar (which also provides fresh and natural air) ride away and still close to campus.
Uptown Coffee on St. Charles is the cutest place to have not only coffee but also chai tea and the most delicious mini beignets. District Coffee is on one of my favorite streets, which is Magazine Street. This is the place you go when you want a midday coffee and something to eat that will fuel you back up after a long day.
Going to places off campus is very important because it gives you a sense of reality in which life on campus…isn’t the only life there is. There are places outside of Loyola that are meant for university students like us.
If you are all coffee-ed out, another inexpensive place you can relax from all your busy work are the hotels around New Orleans. Now, I don’t mean to stay in; what I mean is to use their resources. The Ace Hotel in New Orleans has its own rooftop oasis with a beautiful view of downtown. According to Nola.com, visitors can get a pass they can use on weekdays to use the pool for only $25, and they offer passes to use from Friday through the weekend for $30.
Doing an activity that makes you happy is rewarding after working hard in school. The local theaters around New Orleans love to invite students to come and watch their plays. The Saenger Theatre offers $30 student rush tickets for evening performances with a valid ID, and the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival has a $25 student ticket price for general admission. This is the perfect opportunity to go see a show with your friends and have a fun night out to emphasize that university is not just about work, but also about taking in the culture of the city around you.
Remember to be mindful of what state your body is in currently, because most of us are so busy we don’t even realize that our bodies and minds are running low and need attention. The key is making sure to check in on yourself every once in a while ,and to acknowledge that it is okay to want a break for yourself and to never feel guilty about it. If you want to elevate yourself and find more wellness routines, skincare, and more coming in the future, check out my personal online blog called Glow With Mabel, where we learn how to glow internally and externally together, one step at a time.
