Back to School Volume 1

Stress

Stress is Stressful! Let’s break it down…  There are varying types of stress, but for back to school we are going to concentrate on:

Acute Stress

Test Taking Stress

The most common stressor, but thankfully the least damaging health wise! These are short-term stressors that occur in our day to day life. Examples are taking a test or when you’re running late to class.

Chronic Stress

Overwhelmed Stress

The stress that seems never ending! When homework is piled up on our desks and our to-do lists seem to be impossible to handle. This stress can have some negative side effects if not managed.

Eustress Stress

Competition Stress

This is the stress you feel before participating in an academic match, sporting event, or even before public speaking.

Side Effects of Chronic Stress:

Not everyone experiences stress in the same way. It is important to know your signs when you are feeling overly stressed.

Headaches, muscle tension, stomach issues, illness.

Concentration issues, brain fog, irritability, sadness.

Not wanting to hangout with friends or family, snappy, find it hard to make decisions.

Stress Management

Stress is inevitable. The good news is that if we learn how to manage our stress and change our perception of stress, we can be prepared for when these events occur.  What are some basic tips on Managing Stress? Find what works for you!

Make sure to get good sleep. Going to bed at the same time every night (as possible). Shut down electronics well before bedtime to give your brain and eyes a cool down period.

Physical activity has been repeatedly shown to aid in stress reduction. It uses your bodily resources in ways that promotes healthy exhaustion and the need to recover and restore.

Hint: this will be a topic for one of our upcoming sessions!

Create a manageable To-Do List to help you get organized and reduce feeling overwhelmed.

Try some relaxation techniques. Meditation can be helpful with only 5 minutes a day practice.  Take charge of your focus and see the effects on your thoughts.

Schedule time to have some FUN. While this may seem counterintuitive, we are all busy.  We often feel like we don’t have time for the things we really want to do.  Scheduling them can make sure you find time for enjoyment.

Alex Young, Intern

Alex Young is a Graduate Student Intern with the Mindly Group studying Mental Health Counseling. If you are interested in joining this group or want to learn more about Alex click here.