It’s the week before finals and you feel stressed and anxious. Stress is inevitable and a basic fact of life. However, not preparing yourself to cope with stress can be potentially harmful. Here are some ways to help you manage this difficult time in the semester.
Organize Yourself. Take better control of the way you spend your time and energy so you can handle the stress more effectively.
Control Your Environment by controlling who and what is around you. In this way, you can either get rid of stress or get support for yourself.
Get Your Rest. Exhaustion decreases your ability to cope with stress. Try to sleep seven to eight hours a night. Take study breaks – your mind can absorb only so much. A general rule: take a ten-minute break every hour. Rest your eyes as well as your mind.
Eat Balanced Meals. Avoid high calorie foods that are high in fats and sugars. Don’t depend on drugs and/or alcohol. Caffeine may keep you awake, but for some people it impairs concentration. A 20-minute walk can be a better tranquilizer than some prescription drugs.
Be Aware of Yourself. Watch for those distress signals such as insomnia, headaches upset stomach, colds and the flu, excessive tiredness, etc. These can be signs of potentially more serious problems.
Exercise Your Body. Your health and productivity depend on your body’s ability to bring oxygen and food to its cells. So exercise your heart and lungs a minimum of three days per week for 15 to 30 minutes. Walk, jog, cycle, swim, do aerobics, etc.
Love Yourself. Give yourself positive feedback. Don’t “should” on yourself. You’re doing the best you can.
Plan a Reward System. Don’t wait until you’re done to celebrate. Find ways to reward yourself during the process. It helps to have something to look forward to.
Think positively and challenge yourself to do the best you can!
Sources: caps.unc.edu/MStress.html
www.und.edu/ULC