Taking Care of Your Mental Health While Pursuing a Degree
College can be an exciting time for young people since it allows them to experience freedom while also preparing them for the future. College students may face challenges during this time as they mature, adapt, and change. A little stress may motivate pupils to learn more and develop their skills, but too much stress can be detrimental to one’s health.
Balancing academics, grades, clubs, sports, jobs, relationships, and friends can be difficult. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways available to assist college students in managing stress and improving academic achievement. Continue reading to learn more about student stress management tactics.
The Different Types of Stress
Stress is a common reaction to potentially unpleasant or undesirable circumstances. When a person perceives a threat or a significant hurdle, the adrenal gland releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. A high level of cortisol in the body, on the other hand, cannot be helpful.
Stress is classified into three types:
1. Acute stress:
Anxiety like this can emerge in reaction to a looming deadline or a difficult test. Even if it seems intense at first, it will pass.
2. Episodic stress:
This type of stress can be caused by frequently taking on too many duties or working too hard.
3. Chronic stress:
Chronic stress is anxiety that lasts for an extended period of time. The main thing affecting your health is stress.
Unmanaged stress can cause headaches, nausea, a racing heart, a weakened immune system, problems sleeping, and eating changes. This may have an impact on a student’s ability to form interpersonal bonds as well as academic achievement. Anxiety, depression, addiction, and sleep issues are just a few of the negative consequences of college stress.
College Mental Health Awareness
College students who want to thrive academically and have healthy, balanced lives must master stress management techniques. Students who are having difficulty managing their college stress can employ the following strategies:
- Exercise can help you relax, enhance your mood, and decrease stress. On campus, there are various simple methods to be active, such as using the stairs or going to class.
- Students can unwind and relax while at college by participating in activities such as athletics, writing, painting, cooking, and drawing.
- Keep a close eye on your surroundings. To do so, one must be entirely present. Through mindfulness or meditation practices, the body’s stress reaction can be delayed and the mind trained to feel more at ease.
- If tension becomes unbearable, seek the advice of a specialist. Students who consult with a mental health professional can learn effective stress-reduction practices.
Despite the occasional difficulties, college may be one of the most exhilarating experiences for a young adult. Students who are aware of stress-reduction techniques may be better prepared to deal with problems after graduation. To learn more, consult the included infographic.