As the semester comes to an end the stress and anxiety of worrying about grades is at an all time high. Stress can be a physical, chemical, or emotional factor causing physical or emotional tension. Symptoms of stress can have effects such as muscle tension or an increase in heart rate. Prolonged stress can have detrimental effects on the body. Some ways to manage or cope with stress include:
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Think positively- Speaking things into existence can do wonders for you. Another way of positive thinking is to write positive affirmations. For example, I have one that says “Without failure there is no success” and “I will be a nurse” little things like that help you remember your goals and motivate and build confidence.
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Prioritize- If there is a lot on your plate prioritize things by importance and length of time it will take. If you know that you can get smaller assignments/tasks out the way then those are small achievements that will make you feel better about yourself. If you are not an organized person get a calendar, planner and use your phone to have multiple dates and times in multiple places. If all fails use sticky notes.
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Maintain a healthy body- Stress can take a toll on the body. With exercise and maintaining a healthy diet the negative effects of stress. Also getting the right amount of sleep can help as well. Â
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Write something- Writing can be an outlet for you to express your emotions and feelings. Â
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Just breathe- Sometimes all you need to do is take a moment to relax and breathe. Meditation and yoga are good ways to destress as well because it involves the mind and body and promotes calmness and peace.
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Take a break- The best distractions from being stressed could be taking a nap, watching TV or listening to music for a certain amount of time or until you feel like you can continue.
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Have a life!- Now don’t party too hard. Social relationships and outings with people provide support and allow you to let loose. Go out every now and then and have fun, don’t worry about things that you cannot change.