Manage Stress??? 

 What, one more thing to "manage" before the semester gets underway for real? 

 Is it possible to manage stress, and do you really want to?  The answer to that question is yes and no.

Stress can both motivate us to do well and diminish our mental well being.  Stress is defined as a physical and psychological reaction to issues and events emanating from one's environment.

College students experience many changes in environmental issues and events, and therefore are especially susceptible to negative stress. 

These stressors can include:

• leaving home for the first time

• meeting new people

• forming new relationships

• the desire to perform and succeed

• managing finances

• juggling classes with a job,

• trying to avoid the freshman fifteen

•  and perhaps being introduced to illicit drugs and alcohol.

The first step in managing stress is learning how to recognize the warning signs. These include:

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Feeling fatigued

• Changes in eating habits

• Being short tempered

• Recurring minor illness:  colds, muscle aches and pains, indigestion, headaches, backaches (which if stress is left unmanaged can turn into major health problems)

• Feeling or acting disorganized

• Fear or anxiety

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Forgetfulness

• Difficulty concentrating

• A sense of persistent time pressure

• A general feeling of increased frustration and anger

 So, back to the original questions, do we manage stress, and how do we do so? Good stress can come from positive events. Stress that motivates us comes from exciting or positive events like a healthy new relationship, buying a new computer, preparing for the exciting new life changes at college.  These types of stressors do not always provoke the above warning signs.  Concentrate on and address the unhealthy stressors, and learn to appreciate the positive.

Strategies for managing stress:

• If stressors seem to become unmanageable, see a health care provider at your college health center, or make an appointment with counseling services.
• Use proven relaxation techniques like deep breathing, add exercise to your routine, sit quietly for fifteen minutes, or imagine a beautiful scene, with you in it
• Gain strength from spirituality
• Eat a balanced diet
• Talk with friends about your worries
• Reinforce positive self statements
• Laugh!
• Know your limits
• Have a good cry
• Avoid alcohol and drugs
• Add balance to your life:  Don't overdo studies or play
• Don't get behind, establish a study time routine and place, make use of study resources on campus, study with classmates, and schedule regular breaks

Last but not least:  be aware of your own reactions to stress,  recognize and accept your limits

In conclusion, if this information has stressed you out, and you would like to stay that way, here are some tips adapted from Stef Jones of De Anza College:

• Procrastinate:  Putting things off to the last second always produces a marvelous amount of stress.
• Throw out your sense of humor:  Staying stressed is no laughing matter, and it shouldn't be treated as one.
• Never Exercise:  Exercise wastes a lot of time that could be spent worrying.

(more help to stay stressed can be found at www.netfunny.com)