In college anxiety (stress) hits you from every direction possible, and it hits you hard. This semester my anxiety levels are at an all-time high. Although, most of the time I usually just like to call it “stress”. I am in my senior year of college, and I am taking 18 hours. Five are in class and one is online. Online classes are already stressful, so I already expected that. Any who when dealing with all of this plus working, your social life; which is nonexistent for me, and your personal life you tend to go butt crazy. That is the level that I am at currently and it’s only the third week of school.
I’ve probably been dealing with my anxiety or stress since my sophomore year of high school, but it got worse my freshman year of college. I believe it started in my college algebra class and I was just freaking out about everything and nothing. I would sometimes begin to hyperventilate, cry, and so on and so on. I had to learn ways to cope with this or in all honesty, it would have ended me. Here are a few ways that helped me and are still helping to this day to cope with my anxiety.
1. PRAY
Prayer is the key to everything. I mean EVERYTHING! No matter your religion, always look to your higher power for knowledge, understanding, and anything else you may need. Trust me, He has all the answers. Although I may not be the most religious person, I have learned to leave all my stress and causes in the hands of the Lord. Try praying because I always feel my spirit is lifted afterward.
2. WORK OUT
Working out is a great stress reliever. I probably use this mechanism 2 out 365 days of the year. I am super lazy when it comes to going to the gym, but when I do actually make it there I feel amazing after some good ol’ cardio. It’s like you just sweat all your worries away. My issue then becomes not going back.
3. JOURNALING OR COLORING
Journaling helps to get all your thoughts out of your head. Regardless if your thoughts are complete sentences, fragments, a collage of words, or scribbles and drawings the big thing is to just get them all out of your head to clear your mind. Now, a new trend has been born over this past summer which is; adult coloring books. Coloring is very peaceful and more companies are creating more and more adult coloring books and they can be found almost anywhere now.
4. HANGING/TALKING with FRIENDS
Sometimes all you really need is someone to listen to you. You don’t want them to really give their opinion, judge you for all the crazy things you are saying, but to just listen. Sometimes a listening ear is all one may need. So make sure you have at least one or two friends by your side. They make college and life so much easier.
Regardless if you try these coping mechanisms or you find another way, just make sure you find a way to cope. Don’t let anxiety rule your life. “Just Breathe” it will all be over soon.
HCXO!