During the time students spend in college, they experience numerous challenges and stressful situations. In other words, stress is a normal part of campus life and can motivate people to accomplish tasks. However, constant stress that affects your daily functioning and academic performance is unhealthy and needs intervention.
Statistics on stress are very damning, with evidence showing that over 50% of young adults reported feeling stressed or depressed, while 61% reported feelings of anxiety. Furthermore, 16% of those who said they were stressed had self-harmed, while 32% reported having suicidal thoughts.
When stress starts affecting how you live and interact with others, it is crucial to seek coping mechanisms. Here are the top ways for university students to cope with stress.
Become More Organized
Most students feel stressed because they are yet to master organization and time management. University life comes with tons of responsibilities and deadlines. If you don’t become more efficient, you will feel more stressed. In addition, there will be assignments to deliver within a short span. Emergencies and familial duties will also add to the strain on your schedule.
To reduce the stress that accompanies student life, learn to prioritize tasks and become more efficient. This means creating a schedule and tracking your use of time. Avoid procrastination and stop multitasking, as it harms your brain. Most importantly, know when to seek professional assignment support. You can easily order custom capstone project help from professionals online.
Eat Healthy Meals
The relationship between food and stress is quite complicated. There is some truth in the notion of stress eating since stress releases hormones that encourage overeating. People who feel stressed also tend to depend more on comfort foods high in sugar and fats. According to research, stress is linked to weight gain.
In the short term, stress can also lead to a decline in appetite. Evidence shows that stress causes the nervous system to send signals to adrenaline glands to trigger fight-or-flight responses. The effect is a decline in appetite. On the other hand, prolonged stress causes a release of cortisol, making people eat more.
To help control stress, you need to eat balanced meals. Healthy eating allows students to support their immune systems and repair damaged cells. It also offers the additional energy students need to handle challenges. Also, evidence shows that vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fats help regulate cortisol levels in the blood.
So, plan your meals to fight stress and improve your overall health. Ensure to include fruits and vegetables in your meals. Stay away from carbonated and sugary drinks and make healthy meal choices.
Exercise Regularly
Another habit that could help you manage stress is regular exercise. According to research, physical activity helps students by lowering their blood pressure. Being active also lowers stress hormone levels, leading to happier feelings of greater motivation. The benefits of exercise go well beyond stress management. Studies link activity to effective weight management and better mental health outcomes.
Understand that you don’t have to perform exhausting routines at the gym to exercise. Even simple measures like taking the stairs can be enough for stress management. You can organize bike rides or walks in the evening. The most important thing when it comes to exercise is consistency.
Prioritize Sleep
Most college students ignore the importance of sleep, with profound implications. Of course, there is often much to do on campus, including assignments, exams, and class. Yet, while trying to keep up with the many academic, social, and work demands, sleep tends to be pushed way down the priority list for most students.
When students are stressed, their ability to fall into deep sleep diminishes. This is the period during which the body and mind are repaired and restored. When you feel anxious, you will have disturbed sleep, and your slumber will frequently be interrupted. So, sleep diminishes the quality and quantity of sleep people get.
According to experts, stress triggers an increase in cortisol levels generating greater vigilance and making it hard to fall asleep. The release of excess cortisol levels also affects the generation of melatonin, which is tasked with regulating the sleep-wake pattern.
Note that getting enough sleep reduces stress as it calms and restores the body. Those who get at least seven hours of sleep make better decisions, are more alert and have a better mood. To reduce stress, you need to work towards improving your sleep hygiene.
This article offers a few insights for coping with stress in college. First, work on your social support systems, and don’t hesitate to seek help when overwhelmed. Most importantly, prioritize self-care, including proper sleep, healthy meals, and regular exercise.
