Stress is a psychological term that results from a person failing to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats, which in turn disturbs or interferes with their normal physiological equilibrium.
Symptoms of stress include being in a state of alarm, exhaustion, irritability, tension, inability to concentrate and physiological reactions such as headaches and an elevated heart rate.
College students often don't pay enough attention to their diets. We've all heard of the "freshman 15," in which you gain 15 pounds in your first year of college. On top of causing you to gain weight, eating an unhealthy and unbalanced diet can also lower your energy levels, which can in turn raise your stress level. In fact, skipping meals leaves students exhausted and hungry and makes it more difficult for them to actively participate in school and social life. For most college students, it takes a little extra effort to eat a decent breakfast, but skipping breakfast makes it harder for you and your body to fully wake up. Your metabolism kicks in when you eat a good breakfast. By eating well, your mental and physical stamina will improve, and your body and mind will function better, especially in stressful situations.
Sleep deprivation can be a problem even before college, but it is amplified in college. The combination of large amounts of homework and a thriving social life make it challenging for most college students to get enough sleep. Most people need at least six hours of sleep a night; in general, it is recommended that a person gets eight hours. By taking the time to sleep enough, you will feel more lively and alert when you are awake and less stressed out about getting things done. When a person doesn't get enough sleep their body suffers as well as their mind, and they will often end up going through the day in a sluggish, dazed state.
Any type of physical activity helps relieve stress. Just the act of focusing on your body instead of what's in you mind will act to distract your from other stressful things going on in your life. Exercise also makes you look better and builds your energy levels. Most college students have a number of places to go for exercise, from state-of-the-art gyms, to intramural sports, to long walking or running paths. Exercising is one of the best ways to relax the body and mind while at the same time performing a healthy and rejuvenating act. Stretch well before performing any high-exertion activity to avoid muscle cramps and pulls.
Music and dance are time-tested stress relievers. Whether your preference is to sit alone in your room listening to music on headphones or go out dancing with friends all night, the release can be just as good either way. Music and dancing help distract college students from the stresses of their daily lives and give them an opportunity to decompress and unwind. After a relaxing session of listening to music, you should feel refreshed and ready to tackle potential stressful endeavors.
A lot of stress students feel in college is due to their poor self-control, especially when it comes to time management. By letting your schedule get overcrowded or skipping or forgetting important events or meetings, you increase your stress levels. The same goes for financial self-control. Oftentimes, college students will have bank accounts and credit cards for the first time in their lives. Using these resources without proper restraint will lead to the piling up of bills and periods without adequate funds.