Sounds of Stress

Sometimes just hearing the words anxiety and stress can cause a feeling of unpleasantness.  Stress and anxiety are part of life.  They are built in to the human condition.  For college students, though there are some important factors and areas of their lives that are often the source of anxiousness and stress.  Family dynamics, finances, romantic relationships and educational hurdles are some of the most common ones.  Final exams are an example of something that is almost designed to trigger some anxiousness and stress. 

Data shows that approximately two thirds of people 18-34 experience moderate stress while nearly a third deal with severe stress.  It is important to note that stress is not restricted to only to being a negative experience. Eustress is the type of stress associated with positive and fulfilling activities and events (like finishing the semester).

While distress and anxiety are to some degree unavoidable in our lives, there are some strategies, techniques and even plain old common sense that can make managing those feelings easier. 

Regular sleep is important.  Just as stress can wear down our physical immune system it can also take a toll on our ability to focus, think logically and experience a healthy range of emotions.  Simple patterns like going to bed and the same time every night regardless of how tired you feel and doing the same for waking up can make a significant difference.

Meditating and doing deep breathing can help soothe feelings of panic.  Regular exercise, even if it is low impact can do a lot to build up depleted emotional reservoirs.  Lastly, many people find that having someone to talk to who knows how to listen, like a therapist, to be very beneficial in managing stress and anxiety.

So, while there is no magical key to eliminating all stress and anxiety from your life, there are interventions that can help you manage it better.  

Destress Fest

Sleepy Guide 3

Got Stress?

Well, back from spring break and back to the drawing board we go.  Whereas the idea behind spring break is to give you a break from stress and anxiety, it seems to return just as fast as we return to work or the classroom.  Stress and anxiety seem to come hand in hand and can be a completely vicious cycle.  Whereas when stress arises, anxiety can easily follow just as when anxiety arises, stress seems to be tagging along with it.

So, during these times, what can we do to relieve our stress?  There are many different ways of reducing stress and people try a number of different ways to do so.  Some of the ways that we can relieve stress is by doing breathing exercises, listening to relaxing music, or reading a good book.

Health & Wellness Services provides many therapeutic services (Counseling, Massage, Medical Clinic, and Health Education) that can help reduce stress. Call us to schedule an appointment - 801-957-4268. 

SLCC Sleepy Student Survival Guide 2/4

Slcc Sleepy Student Survival Guide 1/4