Relax Your Mind
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What
is Stress?
Stress
is a person’s response to any
situation or event that requires adjustment or change. We often think
of stress
only in terms of negative events, but stressors can be positive as
well. Stress
is a natural response to a threatening situation. The result has more
to do
with the interpretation than it does with the stressor itself. For
example, one
student may see failing an exam as a warning to seek help while another
student
sees this event as a terminal blow to his or her life plans.
How
is College Stressful?
During
their college years students
experience constant challenge and demand for adjustment and change.
Along with
academic pressures, students are seeking independence and autonomy from
their
parents and responsibility for themselves, acceptance from their peers
in a
world of mixed values, and more intimate relationships. At ISU many
non-traditional students are facing traditional problems of everyday
life while
trying to earn a degree. Financial worries, juggling the demands of
family and
children, and working are just a few additional stressors these
students face.
How
Does Stress Affect You?
Stress
impacts each person
differently. The effects of stress will
usually show up in four different spheres: physically, emotionally,
behaviorally and mentally. Physically,
the body reacts to threat with an increased adrenalin flow. Muscles
become
tensed and heart rate and respiration are increased. Emotionally,
you may experience anxiety, irritability, sadness and
depression, or extreme happiness and exhilaration. Behaviorally,
you may experience reduced physical coordination and
control, sleeplessness, and irrational behavior. Mentally,
you may have a severe reduction in your ability to
concentrate, store information in memory and solve mental problems.
"Test
anxiety" is due to
the brain’s reduced ability to process information while under severe
stress.
This can be of particular concern to college students.
How
Do I Eliminate Stress?
Stress
is a necessary part of life.
We cannot and would not want to eliminate all sources of stress.
Students can,
however, learn to cope more effectively with stressors by employing
effective
physical, behavioral and cognitive coping strategies.
Physically,
one strategy is to learn to relax. With relaxation training, which is
offered at
University Counseling and Testing Service and below in our Relax Your Mind Virtual
Library, students can learn to counteract the stress
response and
enhance their ability to think more clearly. Meditation is another
effective
method of achieving relaxation. Regular exercise is another physical
coping and
stress reduction technique. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is
another
technique.
There
are a number of behavioral
strategies which can be used to reduce the intensity of stress. Time
management
is a particularly effective method. Making a schedule of available time
and
prioritizing demands can put some sense of structure into a seemingly
overwhelming semester. It is also important to establish realistic and
achievable goals and to maintain a balance between academic, work, and
social
commitments.
One
of the most important strategies
for reducing stress is to examine the thoughts and beliefs we have
about what
is causing the stress. Putting the situation into its proper
perspective
reduces the perceived threat that it poses. Ask yourself, "What is the
worst that could happen?" Usually the "worst" is not as bad as
it first seems.
Finally,
perhaps the best coping
strategy is to talk over your problems with a good friend or counselor.
Discussing your problems with someone can greatly reduce the tension
you feel
and provide you with valuable insight into the situation. University
Counseling
and Testing Service has a professional counseling staff that can help
you to
cope with the demands of academic life. Call us (282-2130) or drop in
today for
more information.
Relax Your Mind Virtual Library
Below are several relaxation resources for your body and mind. The resources are provided by various colleges and universities in the nation and below you will find links to those resources. If you need additional tips or resources, please contact University Counseling and Testing Service at 282-2130.
Wellness Self-Assessment Quiz
Mindfulness, Muscle Relaxation, Body Scan, and Yoga Audio/Video Tutorials
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Breathing Exercises, Relaxation Exercises & Guided Meditation U-Tube Videos
Get A Massage at ISU!
Managing Stress, Strategies
for Success & Achieving End of Semester Success Podcasts