3 Common Types of Stress Among Students & Their Management

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is one of the main problems faced by students nowadays. Increased levels of stress can have a negative impact on students’ physical and mental well-being. Stress can take a toll on students’ sleep patterns, diet and cognitive functioning. All this together can hamper their academic performance, social behaviour and relationships.

WHAT CAUSES STRESS AMONG STUDENTS? 3 COMMON TYPES OF STRESS AMONG STUDENTS

• Academic pressure: Sometimes the pressure of getting good grades and prioritising  academic achievement over everything else can make life stressful for students.
• Peer pressure: This affects the self confidence in a student and makes him/her do the things they would have not done normally.
• Poor time management: From submitting assignments to taking part in school events, students these days have a lot on their plate. Poor time management and falling behind on schedule can make students anxious leading to stress.

STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS | 8 SOLUTIONS TO STRESS

• Get enough sleep: A good night’s sleep keeps the student fresh and active throughout the day. An 8-hour sleep is required for the proper functioning of the mind. It’s okay for students to sometimes pull an overnighter. However, they should deprive themselves of sleep in the long run. It has been found that lack of sleep not only increases fatigue but also worsens cognitive performance.

• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help lower students’ overall stress levels and improve their quality of life. Exercising helps produce feel-good hormones that foster a feeling of calmness and relaxation. Students should go for walks or take part in sports on a daily basis. Whenever they are stressed, a walk can be helpful in clearing the mind.

• Take calming breaths: Deep breaths help in bringing down the anxiety level. There are many breathing techniques that students can practise whenever they are feeling under stress. Whenever faced with difficult situations, taking deep breaths can help students calm down.

• Listening to music: Music has a profound effect on the body and mind. Listening to music is a great way to manage stress. While upbeat music helps students feel more positive, instrumental or light music helps them feel relaxed. Students can dedicate a time of the day to listen to music.

• Get organised: One of the reasons for getting stressed is not being organised. Students can plan their schedules in advance so that they will have clarity about the work. These days, there are several apps that can help students use their time more efficiently.

• Eat a healthy diet: When students are stressed out, they often look for junk foods to make themselves temporarily happy. However, these sugar-laden beverages and salty snacks contribute to anxiety. They cause blood sugar to spike and crash which causes mood swings. Students should stick to a healthy diet to feel energetic.

• Meditation: Students can include meditation in their daily routine this will help in keeping their minds healthy and calm. This will help them focus more on their studies so that they can maintain a healthy balance in their personal and academic life.

• Positive affirmations: Positive affirmations can help students build confidence. A great way to introduce positive affirmations into daily life is to read a positive quote every day. Students must use positive adjectives when it comes to describing themselves.