Stress Management Tips For Students
Student life isn't easy and comes with an array of challenges. It's quite difficult to try and balance a workload, job, social life and personal conflicts that may arise. While many students are initially excited by their newfound independence, it can become overwhelming when they have to balance multiple tasks simultaneously. Student stress is a real and significant thing and it's important to try and manage stress levels in order to prevent burnout and keep your body and mind healthy. Here are some great tips to help manage stress.
Organize
Do you ever feel stressed after realizing you spent the day doing nothing when you have an assignment due? That's probably because you're not organizing your day. Organization is important if you want to reduce your stress levels. Try investing in a planner to write down all your due dates. If you’re not great with writing, many time management apps can be utilized instead. You can get creative with it, using different colours for different tasks. Don't expect to get the hang of it all at once; it takes time to get used to keeping up with what you have planned, but it's worth it in the long run!
Exercise
Having a regular exercise routine is an important way to manage stress. This could be cycling, yoga, or even taking walks. This can help you blow off steam and keep you from losing your mind after doing a lot of work. Exercise has also proved to be advantageous to your mental health. In my first two years of university, I did not have a regular exercise routine, but this changed in my third year. I started going to the gym five times a week and found a way to incorporate exercise into my daily schedule with my part-time job, social life and studies. This made such a huge difference in my life; I slept better, ate better and felt so much better mentally and physically.
Eat Well
I am probably going to get a lot of hate for this one, but stop drinking so much coffee! Seriously. Do you start to get agitated if you haven't had your morning cup of coffee? That's a sign indicating that you likely have a caffeine addiction. I know that as a student, it's normalized to have a ridiculous amount of coffee during the day to keep you energized, but there are many other ways to elevate your energy levels. Caffeine can make you sleep deprived, dehydrated and therefore could hinder your ability to function efficiently throughout the day. Eating healthier foods like fruits and vegetables and opting for whole grains rather than refined grains can keep you from experiencing diet-related mood swing. Drinking water instead of coffee or energy drinks will keep your mind and body hydrated.
Have hobbies or co-curricular activities
As a student, it’s important to have a healthy work-life balance. If you focus too much on working without giving yourself a break, you will likely experience burnout and high-stress levels. Doing things you enjoy such as painting, listening to music or playing sports can be a great way to destress. Find hobbies that you enjoy and join local clubs that fit your schedule.
Socialize and spend time with friends
In the same way that engaging in leisure activities and hobbies can give you a break from the pressures of student life, having a strong social system will also help ease the burden. I can't count the number of times I’ve had a conversation or played a card game with a friend at a stressful time in my life and instantly felt better. Whether you make time to have a quick FaceTime with a friend to catch up or meet up with your favourite cousin for lunch, seeing people who mean a lot to you can decrease your stress levels and remind you that you are supported and loved.
Long-term stress can be quite unhealthy and can lead to an array of physical and mental issues, so managing your stress is important and should be made a priority. You deserve to take care of yourself and put yourself first. It's okay to take a break and focus on your well-being so that you can become the best version of yourself and be able to thrive in every way possible.
Written by Arin Owoturo
Header photo by Keira Burton via Pexels
