“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Everyone experiences stress, and it consistently occurs in peoples’ lives. For a college student, every day brings something new that must be done –whether it be studying for a midterm, attending a lecture, or homework to complete. What are some healthy solutions to mitigate the stress that results from our academic and personal responsibilities and tasks?
Meditate. Take the time to focus on your breathing and thinking. Although it may feel useless to take the time out of a busy day to just breathe and think, utilizing this time to focus on your self and find relaxation will help your mental health and make you more productive for the rest of your day. So, find a quiet place, put on some relaxing music, and sit and close your eyes, think of positive and happy thoughts that will bring you clarity and peace of mind; you’ll be happier and less stressed when you are done.
Exercise. “When your body is under stress, it produces hormones that mimic the fight or flight response to danger.” (Emma Carlile). To reduce this hormonal response in the body and release the panicked feeling that may stem from them, do some exercise. Walk for 15-minutes, lift some weights, do some yoga. Focus on the exercise you are doing and have fun with it! When you are done, you will feel refreshed and ready for the rest of the day.
Talk about it. Talking about how you are feeling and venting can relieve some of the stress you feel and be a cathartic experience. Ask a friend if you can talk about your day, talk to a parent or loved one. If you do not have someone you feel you can talk to, University Health Services (UHS) has mental health services and counselors whom you can talk with. Learn more at https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental-health/.
Written by Cole Navin
Subscribe to our newsletter and get GUTS Tips delivered to your mailbox! Join here!
*This is an opinion post. While the topics described here are mostly based on research, please keep in mind not to assume all of the information described above is factual.
You can read Emma Carlile’s article here: https://www.uwslondon.ac.uk/complete-guide-to-stress-management-and-time-management-for-students/.
Featured image retrieved from: https://info.umkc.edu/unews/top-5-stress-management-tips-for-college-students/.
Are you experiencing academic-related stress? Study Skills may be able to help you. Learn more here: guts.wisc.edu/study/ss