Stress is a person's physical, emotional or mental response to change or challenge. The stress response can occur whether the change or challenge is positive or negative. \nMost of us are not used to thinking about stress in a positive sense. But we need change and challenge to keep our world interesting, to motivate us to study for a test, to excel in competition and to respond to everyday demands. It is when we have too much, or sometimes too little, demanded of us that stress becomes overload or negative. \nWhile it is easy for most students to see how stress affects academic performance and relationships it is often more difficult to recognize that negative stress can be an element of many medical problems we see here at the IU Health Center. Some of these very common problems include colds, headaches and digestive problems. \nTo reduce stress and help cope with the demands of college life, take a look at the following suggestions:
• Strengthen yourself so that the body can withstand the wear and tear of challenging times. This means:\n*Get enough sleep.\n*Use time management techniques.\n*Learn to relax in healthful way.\n*Eat wisely.\n*Quit smoking.\n*Avoid dependence on alcohol and other drugs.\n*Exercise.
• Make Contact with others.\n*Ask for help.\n*Avoid withdrawing into your trouble.\n*Get out among other students to talk, listen and laugh.
• Challenge your mind.\n*Look at stress as a challenge that provides more opportunity to learn and grow.\n*Focus on what's really important and let the rest go.\n*Be aware of your own tolerance for stress and take steps to manage your stress on an everyday basis.\nRelaxation is more than what happens on the weekends or vacation. Campus life should include daily relaxation for renewal. The most productive students take time for themselves each day in activities such as listening to music, engaging in yoga, prayer, exercise, meditation or writing in a journal.\nStarting out the semester talking about stress may seem odd to you, even stressful. However, stress management is about preventing stress from becoming overwhelming. Notice now what you can do to stay healthy and well in order to raise your tolerance for stress that may occur later on in the semester. Choose something suggested in this article right now that you are willing to explore, change or try. You will reap the benefits throughout the year. \nOne last note: It takes awhile for some students to find the right balance between work and play, academic and social life. Some students find that it is stressful to not have enough to keep them busy. These students need to follow the same steps suggested above as well as talking to their academic advisor and reaching out to join in the rich experience of campus life. \nMore information about stress and stress management is available from the IU Health Center, Health & Wellness Dept., 812-855-7338, health@indiana.edu, Counseling & Psychological Services, 812-855-5711 and the Indiana University Health Center Medical Clinic, 812-855-7688.
