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DECA Direct Magazine: De-stress
Between school, volunteering, extracurricular activities and DECA, there’s never a shortage of things to do! Learn how to hit pause, slow down and discover the best ways to manage your stress.
5 Apps to Ease Your Stress
Looking to beat bad stress? Rather than endlessly scrolling through Instagram or stress-shopping on Amazon, turn to these apps to breathe, play and move your way to less stress!
Build Better Habits (and Break Your Bad Ones!)
Having the right habits is more important than ever as you navigate a busy school year. Read on to learn how you can create better habits in any area of your life, plus our tips and tricks for getting rid of your bad habits for good!
Mindfulness Your Way
You may have heard about mindfulness in one of your classes, and perhaps you’ve even tried meditating a time or two. For many people, meditation and other mindfulness practices are a go-to source for stress relief, getting in the zone before a role-play or resetting emotions after encountering an upsetting situation.
De-stress for Success
Life will always throw challenges your way, but the biggest challenges present opportunities for the greatest rewards. So, what’s the best way to manage stress? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some of the ways that work best for me.
Stress to Success: How to Use "Good Stress" to Succeed in Competition
Stress is often perceived as a negative experience, but the right kind of stress can actually fuel your success in competition and beyond. Read on to learn about "good stress", how to distinguish it from the bad and ways you can harness it to take your competitive edge to the next level!
Work Out the Stress
Today’s teens pack a lot into their busy schedules, which has caused stress levels and anxiety to increase in recent years. D’Andre Vasquez, DECA’s 2019-2020 High School Division President, discusses how he handles the stress in his life and how you can too!
How to Fight Off Zoom Fatigue
Whether it’s trying to combat Zoom fatigue or attempting to deal with the strain and stress that comes from staring at a screen all day, here are three tips to help you de-stress in an age of virtual living.
Take the Stress Out of DECA Scholarship Applications
Each year, DECA awards over $200,000 in scholarships to deserving high school and college members. Here are five tips to help take the stress out of applying for DECA scholarships.
5 Tips to Take Your Productivity to the #NextLevel
Schoolwork, volunteering, extracurricular activities, DECA... can you really do it all without endless all-nighters? We think so! Check out five of our favorite ways to level-up your schedules, to-do lists and priorities for peak productivity.
Managing Stress as a Small Business Owner
After six years as a small business owner and entrepreneur, I’ve adapted a few habits and philosophies that have helped me along the way. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Good Stress, Bad Stress: Find Your Sweet Spot
We all experience stress on a daily basis, but the amount we experience depends on how well we cope with the various stressors in our lives. Here are a few tips to help you identify good versus bad stress and find the perfect balance.
DECA Announces New Premier Partner Program + Inaugural Members
The DECA Premier Partner Program offers a meaningful way for organizations to connect, be visible, and actively engage with DECA’s network of high school and collegiate student members and advisors.
Summer and Competition Preperation is in Session
Whether this upcoming school year is the first time you are competing in Collegiate DECA or not, there is no better time than now to start taking the first steps.
A Leader’s Checklist for Preparing for a New School Year
For chapter and association leaders, this time of year is especially important. The work you do before classes begin can set the tone for your entire year, helping your team stay organized, engaged and ready to succeed.
5 Ways to Lead Outside of DECA
While DECA has helped shape me as a leader, some of my biggest leadership lessons have come from experiences outside of DECA. Whether it's at school, work, or in your community, there are opportunities to lead everywhere.
Be a Founder: 6 Steps to Bring Collegiate DECA to Your University
During my senior year of high school, I realized the college I was attending did not have a Collegiate DECA chapter. This made me realize that I had the opportunity to create something that would benefit students for years to come.
Simple Ways to Balance Work, Life and DECA
Balance does not mean doing everything perfectly. It means finding a routine that helps you stay organized, communicate clearly and take care of yourself.
Get to Know the 2026-27 Collegiate DECA Executive Officer Team
As the 2026-27 Collegiate DECA Executive Officers gear up for an exciting year ahead, take a moment to learn more about the faces behind the blazers and the stories that brought them here.
How to Discover Your Next Big Thing
Your Next Big Thing starts with one step. Learn how DECA members can discover their goals, grow from challenges and use every opportunity to become stronger leaders and members.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Meet with Congressional Representatives
Meeting with your US Congressional Representative is one of the most effective ways to advocate for DECA. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you schedule a meeting with your representatives, share your experiences, and follow up.
What Collegiate DECA Has Taught Me About Networking
Before DECA, I used to think networking meant adding random people on LinkedIn. But over the last few years, I’ve learned that networking is much more than that. Here are 5 things that DECA has taught me about networking.
Goal Setting for Your Collegiate DECA Chapter
Before diving headfirst into working towards accomplishing your chapter's goals, here are a few important steps each chapter should take when setting goals.
Building Your Brand for Future Success
No matter the setting, your personal brand can influence future opportunities. Discover the building blocks you can establish to ensure a successful brand, especially whenever it comes to being the NEXT BIG THING.
