Understanding Stress

Managing Stress

Take a moment to think about the moments in your life when you have been stressed: maybe while working on a class project, thinking about your job, hurrying to meet an assignment deadline or even arguing with your significant other. Think about how your body reacted. Did your breathing increase and remember how your heart started to pound. Stress can be very detrimental on the human body. Emotional anxiety and stress can cause the heart to work much harder than it needs too, which can make matters worse. That is why managing your stress is so essential.

Naturally, people with high paced lifestyles are more prone to stress. For example, police officers, athletes, surgeons, and believe it or not college students. And everyone has certain stress-causing “triggers” that seem to perpetuate your stress levels. To name a few, traffic jams, classroom course work (too much), family issues and finances or even a headstrong boss. No one can or should be expected to control all of these challenges; however, they can be proactive when coping with them. Included are several good strategies for reducing stress. If you ever feel overwhelmed, frustrated, tired or even distraught use these tips to slow down your breathing, heart rate and stress levels.

• Take 15 minutes a day to sit quietly, breathe deeply and think of a peaceful scene.
• Learn to accept things you can't change.
• Slowly count to 10 before answering or responding when you feel angry.
• Don't use smoking, drinking, overeating, drugs or caffeine to cope with stress. These make things worse.
• Look for the good in situations instead of the bad; be optimistic
• Exercise regularly. Do something you enjoy, like walking, swimming, jogging, golfing, walking a pet, tai chi or cycling.
• Think ahead about what may upset you and try to avoid it.
• Plan productive solutions to problems.
• Learn to say no. Don't promise too much. Give yourself enough time to get things done.
• Seek out a mental health professional or counselor if you can't cope on your own. Helping people is their specialty. Ask your doctor, family or friends for recommendations. If they can't help, ask your spiritual leader or a hospital social worker for some names.
• Talk with family, friends, clergy or other trusted advisers about your concerns and stresses and ask for their support.

As a college student what are some of the issues that cause stress in your life, and what are some other ways you have come to deal with this stress in your life? Share what works for you, because it will likely work for others!