Stress and anxiety are a common part of life for almost everybody. The key is to learn how to deal with them so they don't become unmanageable and start overpowering you. Excessive stress can be toxic and can lead to illnesses, a weakened immune system and difficulty concentrating and being productive.
Step 1
Identify your major sources of stress and anxiety. Write down on paper and even break them into smaller categories if appropriate. For example, college can be a large category, and exams, money or making new friends can be subdivisions. Have a clear picture of the areas causing you the most stress to make it easier to take control over the situation.
Step 2
Make a list of possible ways to deal with those situations. Allow yourself to write both simple ideas (join groups and associations to make it easier to meet people) and more complex things that would require several steps, such as freeing some time in your schedule so you can find a part-time job. Don't limit yourself either. It's OK to come up with ideas that seem too radical or impossible at the time. Recognize that there may not be one "perfect" solution to a problem; rather, the best answers might lie in combining aspects of some of the solutions you wrote down.
Step 3
Try deep-breathing techniques or meditation. If you have trouble staying still and clearing your mind, start by spending just a minute or two on it. Sit or lie down in a quiet room or in a peaceful natural setting and concentrate on taking deep breaths. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth and think about the anxiety leaving your body as you exhale.
Step 4
Think positive. This may seem impossible during moments of high stress, but there are always ways to do it. Print or scribble down positive notes and tape them in places where you can see them frequently: the bathroom mirror, the fridge, the computer's monitor.
Step 5
Find ways to keep yourself occupied. Too much free time can be damaging, as you are likely to dwell on problems and end up increasing your anxiety over them. Instead, divert yourself by going to the movies or reading a book, taking up a new hobby, taking an evening class or meeting a friend for coffee.
Step 6
Try natural supplements. The Mayo Clinic recommends kava, valerian and Vitamin B along with folic acid. Kava and valerian have a sedative effect and are available as both teas and tablets. Folic acid and Vitamin B can help increase the production of chemicals that affect your mood.
