Only a week into the Spring semester and there’s already a buzz among students at California State University, Stanislaus about feeling too stressed out. If you’re nodding your head saying ‘I’m one of those students,’ don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the rest of the semester must continue this way. It does not have to be the norm to end the semester burn out.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Knowing a little bit about stress and how it works can help you keep stress levels to a minimum and end the semester smiling. Here are a few tips about dealing with stress that may prove useful.
1. Find out what is stressing you out
Things like registering for classes, paying for tuition, group projects, exams and finding a balance between work and school are all common stressors for students. A “stressor” is simply the very thing that is causing you to stress out. Once you pinpoint what’s bringing on the stress, then you will be more equipped to deal with it.
2. Know the symptoms of stress
Stress can be defined as the way that your body responds to an external pressure. Nervousness, anxiety and tension are all feelings that you may be all too familiar with. These could be signs of being under too much stress. Other symptoms include headaches, insomnia, emotional outbursts, irritability, frequent colds and an overall lack of energy. Stress can manifest itself differently for different people, as everyone has diverse physical, emotional and mental responses to it.
3. Employ stress management techniques
Despite the busyness of school, work and any other engagements, always make time for you. Set aside time to do something that you love. Doing an activity that’s not school or work related can re-energize you. Also try to fit some sort of physical activity into your daily routine. Exercise releases endorphins, which in turn will result in a boost in your mood.
“When I’m stressed I like to do something to take my mind off of whatever is bothering me,” Tessa Gonzales (junior, Political Science) said. “You need to find something to help you channel the stress so that it doesn’t overwhelm you.”
4. Change your mindset
Lastly, it is important to approach everything with a positive mindset. As silly as it seems, telling yourself “I can do it” will relieve some of the pressure and keep your thoughts in the right direction. Embracing negative thinking will only hinder your performance and create more stress.
As it is commonly said, everything is good in moderation. This saying can be applied to stress. A little stress can be beneficial as long as it is maintained at a healthy level. There’s a reason that stress is often referred to as the “silent killer.” By raising your awareness of stress and how to manage it, you are one step closer to a happier and healthier semester.