With school, work, homework, finances and finals just around the corner, stress is a given. And a social life, what’s that? Being a college student automatically comes with stress. The American Institute of Stress states that eight in 10 college students have experienced stress within the last three months. If you are in the remaining 20 percent then you are a superhuman and kudos to you.
Here are some tips to control and even prevent the stress within your life.
Time management. Procrastination will create stress in your life. Use the calendar app in your phone or go old school with a day planner. It will help keep your plans, schedule and mind organized.
Eat healthier. During times of stress it is easiest to depend on comfort food, because who doesn’t want that pizza, mac n’ cheese and tub of gelato? Your stressed out self. It is healthiest to avoid: high-fat foods, caffeine and sugar. These food and drink items thicken one’s blood causing a sense of fatigue and also stay in the blood stream longer than intended causing jitters and difficulty sleeping. Recent studies show that carbohydrates cause the brain to produce more serotonin, which is a hormone that has a relaxing effect. As stress can weaken one’s immune system it is important to consume antioxidant-rich, products to boost the immune system, and vitamin C, the stress relieving antioxidant. According to a study of foods that fight stress, the list of foods to overthrow your go to comfort foods follows: Walnuts, oysters, oranges, oatmeal, cashews, garlic, berries, avocado, asparagus and chocolate (don’t have to tell me twice).
Exercise. Exercising helps decrease stress hormones and release mood-enhancing chemicals called endorphins. The increase of these endorphins in your body is what helps to de-stress your body and mind. Whether you want to run, jog or walk, just keep moving.
Go outside. Just twenty-minutes in the sun will cause your body to naturally produce vitamin D. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is essential for good health and is 100 percent free. Sounds of nature and running water can allow one to feel removed from the things that are causing the stress. Get some indoor plants to clean the air while you are inside. Nature is the all-natural healer.
Yoga. This is a great way to combine meditation, breathing exercises and stretching, all while de-stressing your body and mind. The “mental silence” during yoga has a positive effect on stress. Studies show that deep breathing and breathing exercises, in yoga, reduce one’s cortisol level also reducing the stress level. There are many types of yoga practices to choose from, so give yoga a try. Namasté.
Get a massage. Many people automatically label massage as a luxury. As luxurious as it may feel, it is also beneficial for one’s health and wellness. Massage is an effective treatment for reducing stress and anxiety, pain and muscle tension. Your body is worth the investment. Let a massage de-stress your body and be awarded with the benefits.
Find a hobby. A hobby will allow you to take your mind off of everything that is creating stress in your life. Whether you volunteer walking shelter dogs, attempt at Pinterest D.I.Y. crafts or knit sweaters, find your mind reliever and make time for it.
Laugh it out. Laughing reduces the level of the following stress hormones: cortisol, epinephrine (i.e. adrenaline) and dopamine. It also increases endorphins and antibody producing cells. This shows that laughter can be a resolution to stress by improving the immune system and the physical effects that comes with stress. So Keep Calm and Laugh.
Information Courtesy Of:
http://greatist.com/happiness/23-scientifically-backed-ways-reduce-stress-right-now
http://www.stress.org.uk/Exercise.aspx
http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/how-to-eat-right-to-reduce-stress
http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/13-healthy-foods-reduce-stress-and-depression
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/stress-management/stress-nature-and-sun
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm
http://www.learnpsychology.org/college-students-and-mental-health/