Students might feel really out of sorts as the semester comes to a close. Pressures from coursework, final exams, and adjusting to moving back home temporarily might feel overwhelming.
Here are some tips to help get a handle on your feelings and reactions.
Relax Your Body
Stress often shows up in your body. Tense muscles, headaches, stomach upset, sweating, dizziness, and heart palpitations might be signs that you are feeling anxious. Listen to the messages your body is sending.
- Practice deep breathing.
- Try progressive muscle relaxation exercises.
- Try yoga.
Relax Your Mind
From the time you wake up until you fall asleep, you are engaged in an almost constant mental bustle. Stress can accelerate this process and make you feel like your mind is racing and you can’t shut off your thoughts.
- Learn how to meditate.
- After you have done some breathing and relaxation exercises, try to visualize a peaceful scene like the beach or a mountain and imagine that you are there.
- Listen to relaxing and calming music.
Think Realistically
What you think is what you get, so if you think that you can’t tolerate a situation or you can’t stand how you feel, you are reinforcing stress.
- Remember that what you say to yourself in response to a situation mainly determines your mood and feelings.
- Talk positively to yourself. Calmly consider options for dealing with challenges.
Get Some Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the most powerful and effective methods of reducing stress.
- If you already exercise regularly, be sure to continue with your regular practices.
- If you don’t exercise regularly, take walks or engage in other physical activities that will not cause injury.
Feed Your Body
You’ve heard it before, but here it is again; eat well-balanced meals to improve the way your body functions. To manage stress more effectively:
- Watch your caffeine consumption.
Caffeine increases the level of the neuron-transmitter norepinephrine in your brain and that will heighten nervous symptom activity and adrenaline output the same way stress does.
- Manage your sugar intake.
Eating regular small meals throughout the day will keep you fueled and prevent a rapid depletion of blood sugar that can increase feelings of stress and anxiety.
Nourish Yourself
Maintain a daily routine of sufficient sleep, recreation and downtime. Pacing yourself through your day will allow for time for such things.
- Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
- Schedule time to relax and do something enjoyable.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress and would like to schedule an appointment to speak confidentially to a counselor, contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 610-902-8561 or stop by Founder’s Hall, Room 95.