College is one of the most stressful times for anybody. You have to deal with all the drama, the constant partying, and of course, the endless piles of work that you never seem to get through. The stress can break some people which is why learning to manage stress in college is critical.
In this article we are going to take a little look at some of the best ways to manage stress in college. Follow just a few of these and you will really start to feel ‘in control’ of yourself and on top of your work, which in the end should leave you more time for partying! Life is good again.
1. Sleep
Perhaps the biggest tip we can offer is to actually get some sleep in college. Students are notorious for not sleeping enough. You should aim to get at least eight and a half hours a night. Sounds impossible, and while it’s not easy, it is important. Sleeping allows our bodies to recharge and feel ‘fresh’. When we wake up, we will feel much less stressed about the world around us, and that is a good thing! For you and everyone around you.
2. Take a Break
Your professors may not tell you this, but in order to manage stress, you need to take a break from your work. If you’ve ever locked yourself away in your dorm, studying for days, you know what ‘cabin fever’ is and how constant work can stress you out. Every so often you’ve got to take a mental break and chill. Go out. Work out. Swim laps. Watch mindless TV. Whatever. The next day (After enough sleep!) you can get back down to business with a clear noggin.
3. Get Help
Get help from people. This includes your professors, RA’s and your friends. Don’t be afraid of using the student health services if you need to. If you are feeling crushed under a lot of pressure then talk to people. Your friends are especially great for coming up with plans to reduce those stress levels. Maybe a study party will help. Sometimes working and studying in a group is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Everyone is under similar pressure and feeling like you’re not alone is important.
4. Exercise
Exercise is also fabulous for relieving stress. Hit the gym, the pool, the heavy bag… or just walk around! Fresh air is good and exercise releases endorphins into our body, and your body absolutely loves endorphins! They help us feel great about ourselves, and as a result, stress levels drop. It really is that simple.
5. Eat Healthy
Finally, eat healthy foods. The majority of students are packing their diets with carbs and sugars, which contribute to higher stress levels. Add more fruit and vegetables to your diet and ease off on the fast food.
Hopefully a couple of these tips are going to help you manage stress levels at college. Remember, you are not alone. College can be a stressful time, but you can learn to manage and control it.
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