Feeling stressed out, tired, irritable and overwhelmed? Stress, if not properly managed, can lead to serious health problems. With finals around the bend, take the following Wellness Approach to Stress Management tips to keep yourself healthy.Cognitive strategies help a long way in overcoming anxieties about completing all your tasks or juggling school, work and social life. Often times, demanding tasks compete for your attention, and instead of tackling them one by one, people throw up their hands and say, “I just canʼt do it!” But, you can do it! However, you have to tell yourself that you can and believe it, as well!
Stress can reek havoc on your bodyʼs immune system. You may be losing sleep, getting tension headaches, experiencing stomach pains or feeling fatigued. When your bodyʼs defenses are down, you become susceptible to the colds and the flu, and no one has time to get sick! Take a multi-vitamin, wash your hands to protect yourself from most colds, exercise and get to bed early during stressful times. Nothing stops stress like comfort foods, right? Wrong! Eating healthy is so important during stressful times. Your body needs the right nutrients to keep you going! Donʼt cut carbohydrates from your diet, or any food group for that matter! Try some healthy stress relieving snacks such as almonds or bananas.
Alcohol and drugs can impair your memory functions for days after consumption…not exactly conducive for studying! Many college students decide to take stimulants such as caffeine or amphetamines during finals week without realizing the health risks involved. All your assignments can get done with proper planning and time management, not through drug enhanced studying. Prioritize! Take ten minutes to list the due dates of all your various projects. Then, give top priority to those projects which are due first and require the most time. Save easier projects for later. There is enough time in the day if you multi-task. Learn to consolidate trips to the library. Make lists.
Say NO to unnecessary social engagements (you can see that movie after finals). Cut TV time in half; itʼs ok to unwind for a study break with a sitcom, but limit how many TV breaks you take! You have to take time to refresh with conversations and activities with peers. However, these interactions shouldnʼt take up more time than your studying does.
For those interested in taking a crash course in the Wellness Approach to Stress Management, join us at StressBusters Day Monday April 25, 2005 in Sykes Ballrooms A & B from 10-3pm. Weʼll have FREE massages, reflexology, food, funny photos, water-pong and plenty of give-a-ways! Plus, weʼll also be sponsoring free Dodgeball Pick-up Games to release that built-up stress before finals. Sign-ups for Dodgeball games will be in Sykes Union, Wed., April 20 from 11-2pm; however, anyone can join in a game during StressBusters Day without prior sign-up. Hope to see you there!