It's important to balance studying with a healthy amount of fun.

Photo by Rachel Eroh | The State Press Songbird Coffee and Tea House is a great place to go for a new study environment.

By Rachel Eroh | 04/12/2016 4:58pm

The end of the school year is right around the corner, which means we’ll be swamped with projects and studying for the next few weeks. It’s likely going to be really stressful, and as important as grades are, your mental health is important, too. I made a list of a few of my favorite ways to unwind when I’m drowning in work and need to take a break.

Songbird Coffee and Tea

812 N. 3rd Street

Songbird has plenty of seating outside under the shade of a tree, along with more plush seating on the inside.

This little coffee and tea house is my go-to when I need to relax. The environment is calm and comfortable with tasteful music and delicious pastries. The shop even hosts little concerts once or twice a month for local artists. With the limited space and the way they dim the lights, it creates a very intimate experience. It’s a great way to get your mind off of things for a bit.

Antique Sugar

801 N. 2nd Street

Antique Sugar displays a few of its treasures in the window display out front.

If you are looking for a fun time with friends and love to play dress up, Antique Sugar is definitely the place for you. The store is filled with the best variety of vintage clothing. They have everything from silk Chinese dresses to baggy '90s overalls. I don't usually purchase anything, but I always leave with a smile on my face.

Ben’s Bells

417 E. Roosevelt Street





Sharing a small building with the Eye Lounge art gallery, Ben's Bells utilizes its space with crafting-tables for people to work on.

Ben’s Bells is an adorable store with an incredible story behind it. The stores were created after the store owner lost her son, and she began making bells with words of encouragement on them and placed them around her hometown in a way to cope with the pain. The community loved the little surprises so much that it prompted her to create this business. Any time that the store is open, the community is encouraged to come in and help to make the bells. You can go in and mold the clay or paint the bells that have already been made. It’s a great place to go with friends, and spend an hour pretending to be an artist. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you’re creating something that will eventually make someone’s day when they find it.

Pink Slip Open Mic at Lawn Gnome

905 N. 5th Street

Mr. Owl tells a tale with his ukulele on the stage at the Pink Slip Open Mic.

Lawn Gnome has an open mic every Monday at 8 to 10 p.m., and it is undeniably an interesting experience — you never know quite what to expect. There could be a guy wearing an ape mask rapping an original song, or an elderly man aggressively banging a drum and screaming about a cricket. Overall though, it’s a great time, and it only costs $1 to attend. I always have hilarious stories to tell afterwards, and some of the performances are very moving. Anyone is welcome to perform, too. You just have to show up 30 minutes prior to the show to sign up.



Free stuff at ASU!

A banner hangs in front of Taylor Place advertising ASU's got Talent.

Take a moment to stop and read the signs on your way to class about the cool events going on around campus. I’ve never been disappointed by any of the events put on by the University, and the best part is that they’re completely free. Just the other week I went to the event that they put on in Civic Space Park and I had a blast. It was perfect timing too because I had just had a stress packed week. There was a blow-up obstacle course, a human Hungry Hippos game, cotton candy, face painting and Italian ice cream.

Amidst all the chaos of the coming weeks, it’s important to remember that your emotional health should be a top priority. Take some time to breathe and enjoy some of the stress-relievers around the city. Then, once you feel a bit calmer, go back to cramming for that final.

Related links:

Songbird re-opening pleases customers in century old house

The Ben's Bells Project brings kindness to Phoenix

Reach the columnist at rachel.eroh@asu.edu or follow @ErohRachel on Twitter.

Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.

Want to join the conversation? Send an email to opiniondesk.statepress@gmail.com. Keep letters under 300 words and be sure to include your university affiliation. Anonymity will not be granted.

Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.

Related Stories