I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am already struggling with my stress. Between School, work, and extra activities I am starting to get burnt-out already. There are so many sites out there that tell you how to lessen your stress but a lot of them are not realistic when it comes to college students. So I decided to form my own list of how to reduce stress.
Lessen your caffeine intake!
I know, this sounds impossible. I tend to drink a lot of coffee in the mornings, but it is a stimulant and will increase your stress. Now most people will say to avoid caffeine all together, but as college students who have to get up early or stay up late, it’s not always possible to do so. I have reduced my caffeine intake to one cup of coffee a day.
Try to fit physical activity into your routine!
While you may not be able to find time to go to the gym everyday, try to make it there a couple of times per week. Stressful situations increase your level of stress hormones, so, taking time to exercise is a great way to lessen your stress. If you don’t want to go to the gym go for a long walk or run.
Get More Sleep!
This is probably the hardest one for me. As a college students it is hard to get to bed at a reasonable time and depending on work / school schedules you may need to get up early. Don’t procrastinate till the night before on homework. This will allow you to get to bed at a reasonable time. Studies also show that using devices before bed isn’t a good idea. They stimulate your brain making it harder to go to sleep. Check out this link for more information:
How and Why Using Electronic Devices at Night Can Interfere With Sleep
This content was created by the National Sleep Foundation Ninety percent of people in the U.S. admit to using a technological device during the hour before turning in, and children often use electronic media to help them relax at night.
Find a relaxation technique that works for you!
Yoga could help you relax, but this isn’t true for everyone. Try out a few relaxation techniques and see what is best for you. If you need help with finding different techniques then try this website:
Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress – Harvard Health
We all face stressful situations throughout our lives, ranging from minor annoyances like traffic jams to more serious worries, such as a loved one’s grave illness. No matter what the cause, stress floods your body with hormones. Your heart pounds, y…
Talk to someone!
Millersville University offers counseling! If you don’t feel comfortable going to a someone you don’t know then try talking to a parent and / or friend.
Saying ‘No’ and managing your time!
Another habit I am guilty of is not being able to say no to people. So, instead of saying ‘no’ I end up having a million things to do! This makes it harder to manage your time. If you really can’t do something then you need to speak up. Some will understand, others will not, but you need to put yourself first.
Lastly, if you are sick, REST!
It is hard to miss class and work, but if you are sick then take some time to rest. If you feel like it is impossible to miss your class or work then don’t go to that party, club meeting, or whatever extra thing you have going. It will help you in the long run.
It is important to take care of yourself! You can’t do everything and if you try, you will definitely get burned out.
My name is Stephanie Wenger and I am the Marketing Intern for the Department of Housing and Residential Programs. I am an English BA major with a minor in History.
