STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress is part of every student’s daily life which usually involves juggling school, work, living with roommates, managing finances, in addition to starting or ending relationships. It’s not uncommon for students to also feel stress and anxious about wasting time, meeting high expectations, or being lonely. Stress can be caused by both negative and positive events. Falling in love, preparing to study abroad, or buying a car can be just as stressful as less-happy events.
According to the Queen’s Health Survey (2008), major stressors among students include academic pressures, lack of time, future career, finances, and relationships. As a result of stress, students often experience sleep difficulties, changes in eating habits, decreases academic performance, in addition to poor physical and mental health.
Since stress affects everyone differently, it’s important to be aware of your own stress “signals” which can include any number of the following:
· Feelings
o Anxiety
o Irritability or moodiness
o Fear of failure or embarrassment
· Thoughts
o Self-criticism
o Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
o Forgetfulness
o Preoccupation with the future
o Repetitive negative thoughts
· Behaviours
o Crying
o Increased or decreased appetite
o Acting impulsively
o Alcohol or other drug use
o Nervous laughter
o Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
o Stuttering or other speech difficulties
o Being more accident prone
· Physical
o Sleep disturbances or fatigue
o Tight muscles (especially in back & neck)
o Headaches
o Cold or sweaty hands
o Stomach distress
o More colds or infections
o Rapid breathing
o Pounding heart
o Dry mouth
o Trembling |
