Simple Ways to De-Stress in College

Constant stress can significantly affect your body, whether from attending classes, dealing with many assignments, or your social circles. Stress can cause several other problems, from loss of appetite to poor sleeping habits and mood fluctuations. The best plan to manage stress is learning to live under pressure while managing unhealthy habits. Once you develop thick skin, it becomes hard to give in to stress. Additionally, changing harmful practices such as sleeping late and lashing out will help you keep depression at bay. Let’s review the best ways collegians can beat stress.

Types of Stress and How They Affect Students

Stress can take several forms with distinguished symptoms. We all manage stress differently, thus the variation in symptoms. Sometimes it may be hard to tell what you are going through but paying attention to the signs may shed some light. So let’s check out the various types of stress one is likely to undergo.

Acute Stress

Acute stress is often triggered by the daily life pressures we experience. For collegians, it could be bulky course works, piled-up assignments, and poor class performance. Such pressures often result in some students opting to buy essay. Fortunately, acute stress is influential, and once you handle all these issues, it fades away, and you become better physically and mentally.

Episodic Acute Stress

As the name suggests, it mainly occurs when one deals with acute stress several times as time goes by. Clear indications of this type of stress include tension headaches and migraines. It is also a common type of stress that collegians are likely to experience since there are numerous triggering factors in school.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress lasts for a longer duration compared to others, and it is usually challenging to manage it without seeking help. For example, a student finding difficulties in a specific unit can experience chronic stress, resulting in weight loss, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Chronic stress is best managed through therapy.

Common Sources of Stress for Collegians

Students handle stress differently since they all have different triggers. Some distressing situations resolve with time, while others might need help. Here’re some familiar sources of stress among collegians.

Financial Instability

Being financially stable in college means purchasing everything you need, from textbooks to good food. Unfortunately, some students may struggle to raise tuition fees and money for other college expenses. Being unable to afford certain things among your peers can be frustrating, often leading to stress. Most part-time jobs pay minimum wage, and thus, it can be hard to rely on such payments for all expenses.

Adjusting to a New Environment

College comes with an awaited freedom; however, the responsibilities that come with this freedom can be scary sometimes. The uncertainties of what to expect when living far away from your parents often cause anxiety which often results in stress. Also, living with strangers for the first time in an unfamiliar environment may cause a certain level of social anxiety.

Exams

The pressure to perform is among the significant factors causing depression in college. Sometimes we hold ourselves in high regard, so poor performance can easily lead to an emotional downward spiral. Also, the pressure from teachers and parents may be a significant contributing factor.

Social Pressures

In addition to academic stresses, the college also comes with social pressures. Keeping up with friends or even trying to make new ones is a challenge that is often underestimated. Sometimes we try to be there for all our friends disregarding ourselves, which can be emotionally draining. Therefore, as much as you value your friendship circle, you should put yourself first.

Tips to Beat Stress in College

Identifying your stress triggers is the first stage of stress management. After identifying these triggers then, one can go ahead to find solutions. Fortunately, there are several solutions students can apply to beat stress. Let’s review some of them.

Sleep Adequately

Sleep and memory have a significant impact on your performance. Sleep is the only time students relax without much thought about school pressures. Therefore, creating a perfect sleeping routine is essential to ensure quality sleep. Going without sleep often causes fatigue which results in stress.

Eat Healthy

A healthy diet provides you with energy to deal with stressful events. Vegetables and foods with omega-3 fat can help regulate cortisol levels. Students often rely on fast food since they may not have time to cook. Such foods may result in weight gain, which can also cause stress. So you must practice mindful eating, which involves watching what you eat and the portions.

Workout Regularly

Working out does not have to be intense; you can stroll after class or skip a rope to keep your body active. Exercising helps in reducing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Moreover, it stimulates the production n of endorphins, a feel-good hormone. Additionally, mindfulness exercises such as yoga can help you with meditation and relaxation, which can be done from the comfort of your room.

Have Realistic Academic Goals

It is natural to feel the need to perform exceptionally well. However, it would be best not to compromise your mental health. Setting unrealistic goals may lead to depression if you fail to meet them. Realistic expectations can ease your workload since you do not have to put much pressure to achieve them.

Final Take

Our bodies respond differently to stress regardless of whether the situation is real or perceived. College is a high-pressure environment, and thus, it is expected that at some point, one will feel stressed. But what matters is the management of the stress. Some students may find it hard to manage their emotions during the stressful situation and may find themselves sinking more into depression.

Stress places a greater demand on the body, which leaves you feeling fatigued. Therefore, regardless of all the school pressures, do not forget to take care of your mental health by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, setting realistic goals, and working out regularly.