Stress Reduction Techniques for Students

Overview

Students too often deal with anxiety. Schools and colleges are ever more competitive. Students worry about what others are doing, rather than building their own identity and appreciating who they are. Take action to be optimistic and to fulfill your potential without undue anxiety. If stress becomes overwhelming, talk to a counselor on campus or make an appointment with a doctor or psychologist.

Visualize Positive Outcomes

Spend time before sleep or first thing in the morning sitting quietly and visualizing positive outcomes for the goals set for the college years. Let your mind build a set of scenarios that show the joy felt at achieving goals and moving forward in life. Positive visualization helps to build optimism and self-confidence.

Have Role Models

Emulate people who have had successes that you admire. Get to know mentors at school, while volunteering, in part-time jobs, in the local community or in your family. Read about the lives of famous athletes, politicians or people in a career of interest. Learn about the struggles mentors have had during their career paths and the techniques they used to overcome difficult times.

Focus on Priorities

Peer pressure is an enormous source of stress for students. It is crucial to focus on priorities and ignore peer pressure that encourage you to act in ways that are detrimental. Write down your priorities and keep the list in a noticeable spot, such as on a bulletin board. Include small goals, as well as long-term goals, and celebrate when you reach each one. Focusing on priorities is a tool to avoid procrastination and to move along with the hard work required to achieve goals.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise reduces stress. Regular exercise, at least thirty minutes three times a week, will help the body to release toxins and to function optimally. Exercise also promotes deep slumber and lessens insomnia. Use a daily organizer to track when you have exercised and other daily goals, including schoolwork.

Importance of Sleep

Many students are constantly sleep deprived. Teenagers and young adults require at least eight hours of sleep to function at their best. Scrimping on sleeps slows down intellectual vigor and leads to lack of energy and motivation.

Make Friends

Join several activities such as clubs on campus or campus sporting teams. Get involved in activities, and make new friendships through them. Friends can be a source of stress relief. Having people you share activities and time with helps banish isolation and depression. Friends are an invaluable resource for information about campus life. They also function as encouragers to talk to during difficult times.

Meditate

Find a quiet place to meditate on campus somewhere. Some people like to meditate outdoors in nature, and others like to find a quiet chair, couch or spot on the floor somewhere in the buildings on campus. Take 10 to 30 minutes a few times a week to clear the mind of anxiety by meditating. Sit quietly and let stress flow out of the body as the mind calms and the body relaxes.