College can be challenging and stressful. Research has shown that stress has caused fatigue, sickness, even hair loss in many college students. And stress can actually be counterproductive in that student performance can suffer. What are the causes of this stress? And what can college students do about it?
According to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Plattsville, the five biggest causes of college stress are: peer pressure, competition, separation from family, freedom, and choosing a major/career. If you’re a college student and are faced with anxiety related to any of these situations, then take heart that you’re not alone. You can also take some encouragement from the truth that KNOWING the source of stress is half the battle in defeating stress!
So, how can you handle (and ultimately defeat) stress? Here are some quick tips…
- Get a physical — Make sure you’re on top of your health and that you know your body. Get professional, individualized advice on how to best take care of yourself.
- Drink plenty of water — Keep your body hydrated with healthy fluids, and nothing is healthier than water.
- Get plenty of rest — There may be times you have to pull all-nighters, but you want to establish healthy habits of getting plenty of rest, probably 8 to 10 hours a night. If this is not possible, take a “power nap” during the day.
- Practice breathing exercises — Taking control of your rate of breathing can ease muscle tension, keep your heart rate down, and help your overall health.
- Plan ahead — Surprises are often the cause of stress. With careful planning and self-discipline, you can anticipate much of what may come from around the corner. As the old saying goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
- Eat right — Your body will be better able to handle stress if you put good stuff into it! Go easy on the grease, ice cream, etc. Get plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise — Take a brisk walk or jog each day. Talk with your physician about a personal exercise program. Exercise can help relieve tension in addition to burning off extra calories.
College need not be as stressful as some students make it. With the right habits and advanced planning, you can succeed at college and still have lots of fun!
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