Stress Management: Students
Stress Management for Students. In a world evolving constantly, competition never lets up. When even a 0.5% increase or decrease in grades can make or break a career, stress seems to be students’ interminable partner throughout school, college and later, university. In an effort to keep up with myriads of assignments, spend time with family, maintain a social circle and stay up to date about the world, students barely have any downtime. Consequently, their health- both physical and mental- suffer.
Continuous stress can have drastic effects on students’ lives, both present and future. Academic stress, if not managed properly, can leave students at risk of developing various mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and burnout. It can also decrease their immunity and make them vulnerable to infections and ill physical health.
The crucial step in managing stress is identify it and understand its cause. Some of the ways in which academic stress can be effectively managed are listed below.
How Stress management works?
- BALANCED DIET
Depending on the hormones released, stress increases or decreases an appetite of a person. Stress also changes persons’ preference in foods, making them crave food that is rich in sugar and fats but poor in nutrition.
It is, thus, imperative for students to maintain a diet that is balanced, rich in nutrition and energy. Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, beans and pulses should be part of students’ diet.
- GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Students pull all-nighters to work on assignments and study for tests which mess up their sleeping patterns. Studies done by American Psychological Association prove that people who do not get a good night’s sleep tend to have higher level of stress than those who do. Staying up all night not only makes you lethargic but also compromises your work.
Getting an eight hour sleep every night increases your productivity and helps you to not get overwhelmed.
- DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN COMPETITION
While some competition is healthy and motivates students to work better, it is important to remember that your real competition is yourself. All the hard work you do is to build a future for yourself. Therefore, it is necessary to not get lost in competition with your peers and overstress yourself in being the best. One should strive to be the best for one’s own self.
- OTHER’S EXPECTATIONS
Our parents, teachers and friends generally mean well, though sometimes their expectations of us can be overwhelming. It is vital to not be too critical of yourself when you fail to meet those expectations. All that matters is that you work hard. Establishing healthy communication with your parents and teachers can help reduce stress from their expectations.
- HEALTHY HOBBIES/REGULAR EXERCISE
Having hobbies that can help provide a stress outlet is essential in maintaining a sound mind. Exercising regularly, sports, reading, art, music and therapeutic walks can reduce stress. Moreover, such activities can relax the mind, enhance your ability to work and also, save you from burning out.
- TIME MANAGEMENT
Not being able to manage time efficiently causes significant amount of stress in students. Having time management skill not only helps you organize your time but also to meet up deadlines, which allows you to avoid pulling all-nighters every week. This, in turn, improves your sleep.
To manage time well, write down your daily tasks in a planner or on your phone. Make a schedule and stick to it. Avoid distractions. Prioritize your work wisely according to most recent deadline. Take 15 min breaks in between work to stay motivated and energized. Set a time limit for certain tasks and adhere to it.
- PUSH THROUGH THE PROCRASTINATION
Taking out time to do your favorite things helps reduce the urge to procrastinate. When the need to procrastinate kicks in, try to give yourself a positive pep talk to bolster yourself.
- CALMING BREATHS/GUIDED IMAGERY
When you feel yourself on the precipice of stress, try to practice guided imagery. Go to a quiet place and take calming breaths. Imagine a scenery that helps calms you down.
- SUPPORT SYSTEM
Quality friendships tend to reduce stress. Look for opportunities to meet new people and do not be afraid to form connections with people.
- PRACTICE SELF CARE FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT
Keep a positive mindset. Take out time for yourself doing things you enjoy like reading, catching up on television, having a spa day.
If your stress still is too much to handle, do not be afraid to reach out for help. Search for your closest mental health facilities and seek a professional for help. A good start in managing stress is to learn to take care of your mental and physical health.
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