Stress Management

During these unprecedented times, stress is pretty much inevitable. Adjusting to this new lifestyle is a full time commitment which leads to a daunting and immense feeling of stress. With classes being on Blackboard and Canvas, midterms in full swing, finals creeping up on us, Covid craziness, the looming idea that school will shut down, and so many other things thrown into our lives, stress is upon us. It may seem overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable, but trust me there are ways to try and combat it. 

Acknowledge Stress Signals

To get scientific on you all, cortisol is the stress hormone in your body. It works with certain parts of your brain to control your mood, fear, and anger. And while stress may start in your head, it moves into your body and produces physical warning signals. These include headache, upset stomach, rapid heart beat, loss of appetite or cravings, and irritability. There are many more warning signals, but these are the main ones most people experience. And while it may feel like it is taking over your body there are ways to take your body and mind back into your control.

Stress Relieving Activities/Techniques 

Trust me, trying to push through stress will only make things worse. Yes, you are getting more stuff done on your To-Do List, but the quality of work being done will be less than if your mind wasn’t preoccupied with stress. Your body and mind need breaks and relief. Just like a broken bone needs time to rest and heal so does your mind, and overworking it will not make it better. All this being said, take a break and do something you enjoy. These things could include: taking a walk, meditation or breathing exercises, talking with a friend, or doing something you enjoy. One thing in particular to do, especially during these times, is to get away from a screen. I know I’ve spent 8 hours of my day looking at a screen and it's not fun.

Prioritize Your Happiness

Your happiness is just as important as your school work, and the happier you are the better school work you will do. The more satisfied you feel with yourself and your mental state, the more productive you will be. You will want to do work for yourself and not just from the pressure of your grades dropping if you don’t get the work done. Again, do something that you genuinely enjoy and makes you happy. Mental health days are real and necessary. 

Vitamins/Supplements

Another route for stress management could be natural supplements. For example, in multiple studies, lemon balm has been proven to have anti-anxiety effects as it increases calmness and alertness. Omega-3 supplements can also decrease stress levels. In multiple studies, people have reported a 20% reduction in stress and anxiety symptoms. There are many more supplements that have been proven to lower stress levels as well.