A person's body reacts physically to their emotions through stress. Both happy and unpleasant events, like an imminent wedding or the loss of a loved one, can result in stress.
Your adrenal gland releases cortisol first, followed by the hormone epinephrine, which triggers the flight-or-fight reaction when you experience a stressful feeling. Under perilous circumstances, this reaction might just save your life. On the other hand, too much cortisol can have an adverse long-term effect on your metabolic rate, memory development, and blood sugar regulation.
Identifying the situations that may cause stress is only half the battle for college students. Fortunately, there are several techniques you can employ to help you avoid becoming stressed, reduce the amount of stress you feel, improve your ability to cope with it, and eventually eliminate stress.
1. Get Enough Rest
Getting enough quality sleep has a number of health benefits, including stress reduction and mood enhancement. Furthermore, students who get enough sleep are less likely to get sick, have better memory recall, and have a more clear mind.
2. Eat Healthily
To avoid indigestion, make an effort to eat nutritious meals and avoid eating on the run. You could also look for foods that are known to relieve stress and improve your mood.
3. Regular exercise
Daily exercise not only maintains your body healthy but also enhances your general cognitive functioning by releasing endorphins. Even helping you fall asleep while lowering stress is exercise. Exercise does not have to be difficult; yoga, quick walks, and stretching can all significantly improve mental health and reduce stress.
4. Steer clear of stimulants
You will unavoidably crash if you use coffee and energy drinks to fuel your late-night studying. These stimulants increase cortisol levels within the body, amplifying the negative consequences of stress on the physical body.
5. Set reasonable expectations
Always having too much on your plate can cause a lot of stress. Establish reasonable goals for yourself and select a class schedule that gives you enough downtime. Communicating with teachers is vital; if you're overburdened, you might be able to gain an extension on an assignment by just asking and explaining your position.
6. Do Not Procrastinate
Procrastination may feel good at the moment, but it frequently results in stress. You can avoid spending all night catching up on coursework by managing your time wisely. Furthermore, habitual procrastination could be a sign of ADHD or anxiety.
7. Identify a Stress Release
Stress can never be completely avoided; however, finding a healthy way to reduce stress can help you avoid becoming overwhelmed by it. Exercise, spending time with friends and family, and getting massages are all common stress relievers.
Relaxation techniques include deep abdominal breathing, concentrating on a soothing word (such as "peace" or "calm"), practicing yoga or tai chi, and visualizing peaceful scenes.