It’s that time of year again when stress levels are running high; students are pulling all-nighters and not paying much attention to healthy habits. Halfway through the semester is when midterms and deadlines are slowly creeping up. The pressure to finalize everything quickly sits on the students’ shoulders and stays there until finals are finished. All this stress and pressure can be really harmful..
Every student has experienced stress before, whether it’s temporary due to a situation, or more persistent and complex. Sometimes, stress can motivate us. Stress can become dangerous when it interferes with a student’s ability to live a normal college life. A student can feel continuously fatigued, unable to concentrate and irritable in relaxed situations. It can also take a physical toll.
The human body contains a built-in response mechanism.
You may have found yourself sweating at the thought of an important due date or having an increased heart rate after staying up all night for a test. If the cause of stress is temporary, a student can develop acne, irregular food cravings, fatigue and stomach pain. Keep in mind that the longer your mind feels stressed, the longer your physical reaction systems remain activated; this can lead to more serious health issues.
There are many different ways to decrease the amount stress so that you are not experiencing any health issues, whether they are temporary or permanent.
Avocados help satisfy the fat, greasy cravings when stressed; they are also filled with potassium and vitamin E, which helps calm down nerves. Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate, which contains compounds to relieve stress and anxiety while also helping you concentrate. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin B6, which helps with relaxation. Bananas are filled with potassium, which assist in reducing tension. The calcium in milk will make you feel less restless due to the high volume of vitamin B12. Vitamin C in oranges helps maintain the immune system during stress so that a person is less likely to become sick.
The omega-3 fatty acids in tuna help control the body’s adrenaline. High in magnesium, spinach allows an individual to keep at a calm state. Almonds help blood circulate throughout the body, which can prevent panic attacks. Blueberries are the highest of all foods in antioxidants, which help repair cells in the body that have been affected by stress. It is important to stay away from greasy, sugary and fatty foods because they can potentially make you feel tired and more overwhelmed.
The ten super foods can be paired with any meal or eaten as a snack; they will provide the needed energy to accomplish things.
Don’t forget, UREC and the Varner House have specialists on-hand to help you with stress.