Well I am back for another semester of college, and I am going to talk about the side effect that comes with college. Wait, you guessed it, the title gave it away, but STRESS.
What is stress? Google says it’s “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Well, that is very broad definition. Stress can be acute or mild. It will pass over time. For instance, an acute stress example is worrying about an exam coming up in a week or not knowing who’s picking up your child/sibling.
Stress can be episodic. What does that mean? Basically, it’s your mid-level stress phase. The problem causing your stress has began to have a negative impact on your body and on your mind. Somebody effects can be headaches, muscular tension, stomach aches, or a difference in bowel movement. On the other hand, mental affect could include sadness, anger, loneliness. Episodic stress can be compared to the strep throat- it will pass eventually, but you need to have outside support. It is truly okay to reach out for support whether it be your parents, counselor, or just someone you are comfortable with.
Lastly, chronic stress is no bueno. It is that continuous stress that does not seem to ever stop or pass. It is important to reach for help and support sooner rather than later. You can potentially make yourself sick over this stress and could to lead to anxiety, depression, or more physical aspects such as fatigue, panic attacks, and lack of sleep.
How to cope with stress? You can do exercises to relieve mental and physical stress. Some mental exercises can be to meditate, saying a coping phrase, count to ten- it is truly different for everyone. On the other hand, some physical coping mechanisms digging your heels into the ground, clenching your muscles through out your body, yoga, playing some sports. Your coping mechanism is fit for you, but find yourself your own de-stresser. Not everybody’s is the same and nothing is wrong to do.
However, the thing I do stress about is the need for self care. Self care I could rave about for days on days. You need to find something for you to do to unwind, relax, heal not only your body, but your mind. Find your de-stresser. Make time for sleep. Sleep is the biggest, magical healer in the world. I love sleep. Everyone should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep. It is your time for your body to shut down and give it a chance to get ready for the next day. Turn away from the electronics. Spend an hour without the phone or the laptop. Go for a walk or to the gym. When I put the phone down, I feel as though there is a weight lifted off my shoulders. Other thing, eat, eat, eat, but don’t binge eat. Eating healthy foods are so valuable for your body. Filling your body with proper macro molecules and nutrients to fuel your body. Additionally, eating regularly is very important. Aim for three to five meals a day, but eating good meal proportions.
Stress is not an easy thing to deal with. It is okay to have stress. We are human. We all have probably experienced stress here and there. However, it is important to learn how to resolve the matter, figure out how to cope with stress, and how to implement self care into your lifestyle.
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