Here are some suggestions if you’re a student experiencing pressure or if you’re a friend or parent of a student exhibiting symptoms of academic stress.
Speaking with someone
Your happiness can be severely impacted by isolation. Often, the first step toward feeling better is admitting when you need help and reaching out to someone.
“Reach out to people who can help. Stress thrives in the dark and it convinces us we can’t cope.” Discussing your worries with someone else can be helpful. Make it clear if you just need someone to listen or if you’re seeking assistance, advises Alison. Talk to your loved ones; they are the ones who know you the best and are most concerned about you. Furthermore, research indicates that even one weekly social interaction with a buddy can have a similar positive impact on mood and stress reduction as therapy or counseling.
Establish a Reward Program
When things get hard in school, you can aid yourself by rewarding yourself for finishing challenging assignments. Create a reward system so you will have something to look forward to after you complete a task. For example, after reading ten pages of your textbook, treat yourself to a Hershey Kiss. Your motivation to work will increase with this tiny endorphin boost.
Consume Healthily
Even though you might be tempted to grab for that pizza slice, fueling your body with the correct nutrients can increase your energy levels and provide you with the endurance you need to finish your tasks. Foods heavy in fat and sugar can make you feel tired and uninspired to finish your responsibilities. For long-lasting energy, prioritize fruits, vegetables, and other high-fiber foods. To prevent a “crash,” combine protein with carbs.
Exercise
Just getting your heart rate up can do the trick; try taking a quick stroll or a quick bike ride. It doesn’t have to be a strenuous gym session or a ten-mile marathon.
“There are many ways that regular exercise can help relieve stress,” explains Louise. Breathing-focused exercises, such as those found in yoga and Pilates, can help with grounding and breathing control. Similar to how aerobic exercise releases tension, boosts endorphin levels, and controls stress hormones, it also makes you feel wonderful. Since social interaction is known to improve mental health and wellbeing, team sports and other activities can provide a social component that can help someone manage their stress.
Get Enough Sleep
Due to their hectic schedules, students are renowned for sleeping in. Regretfully, you are clearly at a disadvantage when you are sleep deprived. You’re less efficient, might have a harder time learning, and might even be dangerous when operating a vehicle.
According to research, mental disorders, a higher chance of vehicle accidents, lower grade point averages, worse learning, and a larger chance of failing academically are all associated with sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness.
