From the Hilbert College Wellness Center
by Kirsten Falcone, RN
How to Manage Stress
It’s that time of the year again. School projects are in full swing, and finals are on the horizon. Many students are stressed, and most are losing sleep. Some have caught a “bug” and are now feeling behind. Stress is, according to Dictionary.com, “a specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.” But, according to WebMD.com, it is more simply “what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to [handling].” Does that sound familiar? If so, read on.
While some stress can be a good thing, did you know stress also plays a role in most illness? That is because when we are stressed, our body’s immune system takes a hit and cannot function at full capacity. Even busy college students can take the time to benefit from some key lifestyle changes in order to ward off the effects of stress. Some of the ways you can lower stress are:
Get enough sleep. Go to bed at the same time every night, and sleep at least seven to nine hours.
(For more information on sleep, read a recent Wellness Center article here: https://hilberttoday.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/from-the-hilbert-college-wellness-center-the-importance-of-sleep/.)
Make a list each day, and put the most important items at the top. Check them off as you go.
Don’t skip meals, and keep healthy snacks, like fresh fruits and vegetables and low-sugar granola bars in your backpack. Conversely, don’t overeat or load up on junk food. Give your body the fuel it needs.
Drink enough water. This can range from eight 8-ounce glasses per day to an ounce for every pound you weigh. Drinking enough water will also help drive off the munchies.
Stay away from alcohol and drugs, and stop smoking. These put even more stress on your body by lowering your immune response.
Exercise. Take a brisk walk around campus twice, or work out in the campus recreation center. Do this at least three times per week. Look for any special programs that may be open to all students.
Talk to a good friend or counselor. Bottled-up emotions come out in other ways. Venting with a friend also helps your friend connect with you.
Some other ways to manage stress are, in no particular order:
Journaling
Reading for leisure
Crafting, or following a hobby
Breathing exercises
Aromatherapy
Guided imagery
Progressive muscle relaxation
Positive thinking
Singing or playing uplifting music
Volunteering in the community
Caring for a pet
Relaxation time
Taking a nap
Worship/Reading the Bible
Massage
Bathing or swimming
For more information, check out these sources:
WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/default.htm
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandlingStress/index.html
Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495?p=1
