People often say that in college you can only choose two out of three things: sleep, social life or grades. College students often pick grades and social life because one, you came to school to learn and achieve good grades and two, you want to have a fun college experience. This often leaves students with little to no sleep which contributes to the one thing that plagues every college student: which is stress. Every college student has had some sort of break down in school due to stress. With all of our expectations and responsibilities from classes, extracurricular activities and our parents, we can sometimes find ourselves wondering how we are going to get through another day. Here are a few tips to help you combat and lower the stresses of college life!
1. BREATHE!
You may have a lot going on, but before you have that anxiety attack, BREATHE! Studies have shown that deep breathing exercises can help reduce the tension you get when you feel stressed. Deep breathing exercises can essentially calm you down in the midst of a panic attack and help you think more clearly. Try this exercise: Inhale slowly through your nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale through your mouth, and repeat as needed. This helps prevent the short, shallow breaths that often accompany feelings of tension.
2. Exercise!
Moving around may sound like the last thing you want to do when you’re stressed, but it has been proving to be a great way to de-stress! As little as 20 minutes a day of physical activity can help reduce stress levels. You can choose any physical activity like walking, running, swimming or yoga!
3. Eat Well.
Eating the right foods is not just important for your physical health, but also important for your mental health as well. A steady diet of starchy, oily foods can decrease energy levels in the body, leaving room for stress levels to spike. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains increases energy levels and can help you feel healthier and happier.
4. Emotional Support.
Being in college with a lot of responsibilities can often leave students feeling not just stressed, but lonely. Try to establish some kind of support system either with family members, friends or just someone you know that you can trust. If you feel like you can’t talk to family or friends, talk to a school counselor! Venting your frustrations to someone can help release tension levels and put a smile back on your face.
5. ME TIME!
“Me time” is one of the most important aspects of de-stressing. College students have so many responsibilities that often times, our own needs and want get pushed back. Well it’s time to get your “me time” back! Having time to yourself and doing something you enjoy can thoroughly decrease stress levels and leave you in a great mood. Whether it’s getting your nails done, watching Netflix or going to a great restaurant, do what makes you happy for an hour! Take a break and relax!
Going to college can put a lot of pressure on you. Using some of these strategies will help you reduce stress and soar through those four years.