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15 Ways to Defeat Stress and Anxiety while in College

Posted on June 29, 2010 by admin

If you’re in college and you plan to graduate in a timely manner, you’ve undoubtedly endured all-night cram sessions, grueling make-or-break exam weeks and the inevitable disappointment of not quite receiving the grade you thought you had earned. The stakes are high because your future depends on what you do now. But in the quest for academic achievement, college students tend to lose sight of their health. Cases of severe stress and anxiety on campuses are more prevalent than they were decades ago when the college experience wasn’t as hypercompetitive. In order to walk the stage with your sanity intact, you must take proper care of your mental well-being. Here are a few ways to defeat stress and anxiety while in college.

1. Visit your school’s health center
   Put aside your negative perception of mental health counseling and make use of your school’s health clinic for which you likely pay in your fee bill. Many college clinics organize programs and workshops that promote mental health, and have trained counselors who are adept at treating students with problems just like yours. Nobody will have to know about your visit – all information pertaining to it is kept confidential.
2. Exercise regularly
   Colleges across the nation are building state-of-the-art recreation centers, and the cost is also typically reflected in students’ fee bills. Georgia Tech’s rec center, for example, offers martial arts and aerobic classes, a leisure pool, indoor rock climbing and a 15,000 sq. ft. fitness center equipped with free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment and even LCD TVs. Regular exercise will boost your energy level, improve your mood and enable you to sleep easier.
3. Adopt a consistent sleep routine
   Nobody values sleep in college. Late nights are supposed to be spent either at local bars and keggers, or cramming for the next exam. But it’s difficult to party or study to the best of your abilities when you’ve slept for just four hours during the previous two days. The solution is to better manage your time and allow seven or eight hours of sleep per night. Sleep improves your learning ability, memory, mood and cardiovascular health.
4. Eat healthy, balanced meals
   Late night Taco Bell runs and leftover pizza certainly do not constitute a healthy diet. Scrape up the money you would use on fast food and spend it on salad ingredients, cans of vegetables, fresh fruit, eggs, chicken and fish – the latter of which can help your brain work more efficiently. As a result, you’ll have more energy and a clear mind.
5. Eat chocolate
   Although it’s not exactly a healthy food item, dark chocolate has been shown to reduce blood pressure because it’s a powerful antioxidant. More specifically, cocoa phenols prevent plaque accumulation in the arteries.
6. Drink tea
   Green tea in particular is most recognized for its health benefits. Studies have shown that it burns fat and lowers cholesterol. It contains theanine, which reduces anxiety and enhances mood. A warm cup of tea after a day of work and study will calm your nerves and enable you to relax. Of course, green tea contains caffeine, so it’s best to drink moderate amounts.
7. Reduce your consumption of caffeine
   Caffeine is a stimulant that worsens your anxiety. That explains why drinking a couple of cups of coffee may cause you to become jittery and nervous when you should otherwise feel fine. If you drink caffeine during the evening hours, it likely disrupts your sleeping patterns. Reducing your consumption will enable you fall asleep earlier and remain calm during the day.
8. Focus on breathing
   Breathing in sufficient amounts of oxygen lowers blood pressure and helps brain function. Most people breathe shallowly, but it’s healthier to take long, slow and deep breaths. If you practice proper breathing techniques, you’ll immediately notice the difference.
9. Meditate
   Meditation gives you the opportunity to clear your mind of worries, relieving stress and anxiety. The change in brain activity causes an increase in happiness and positivity. The amount of time you meditate can range from a few minutes to a half-hour whenever you feel it’s necessary.
10. Find a hobby
    Taking up a hobby is another way to distract yourself from the stresses of college life. Active participation in an activity tailored to your individual strengths that makes you happy will improve your overall well-being. It can also present you with opportunities to make friends with people who share similar interests.
11. Spend more time with your friends
    Laugh it up. Have a beer. Watch the game. Gossip. Do whatever you and your friends do to have a good time, and do it more often. If you properly manage your time, you should be able to balance an active social life with an active study life without disrupting your sleeping patterns.
12. Adopt a pet
    A study undertaken during the ’90s by researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo indicated that pets reduce stress-related blood pressure problems. So when you’re enduring drama with your significant other or grief from classmates during a group project, you’ll always have your loyal dog, cat, hamster, gerbil, guinea pig and/or parakeet to console you.
13. Listen to music
    Whether you’re driving, walking or just lying in bed, the sounds of your favorite tunes can turn a mundane and worry-laden moment into one of pleasure. Slower music can help slow the pace of your heart and breathing rate. In general, music has been shown to improve brain function.
14. Write about it
    By using a journal, diary or writing poetry, you can vent your emotions and thus cleanse yourself of negativity. It gives you the chance to collect your thoughts and self-reflect. Writing is therapeutic and you can do it at the spur of the moment. It’s the perfect activity for people who prefer not to wear their emotions on their sleeves.
15. Create a stress-free environment
    Living in an environment that’s conducive to easy-living will improve your attitude. Remove clutter in your dorm room or apartment and organize your belongings. Not being able to find your lone knife, for example, after you’ve brought home an expensive cut of meat is frustrating. Eliminating everyday annoyances will help you rid of stress and anxiety.

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