Stress Management

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Stresses of College:

• You are expected to perform academically in an environment of increased competition
• There are social pressures -- trying to fit in with new groups of people
• Challenges of managing money and paying bills
• Worry about repaying college loans or getting a job after school

What Stress Does to You

When the body is under stress, it produces adrenaline -- blood pressure rises, the heart pounds, hearing sharpens, breathing deepens to provide more oxygen, perspiration increases to keep the body cool, and muscles tense in preparation for action.

This flow of adrenaline can disrupt the digestive system and weaken the immune system, leading to short-term problems such as heartburn, indigestion and the common cold as well as long-term, and sometimes fatal, afflictions, including heart disease and stroke.

Taking Care of Yourself

Eating right can help reduce stress and its adverse effects. Here are a few tips:

• Avoid large meals and high fat foods
• Eat small meals high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and grains
• Limit intake of caffeine and alcohol, which drain the body of vitamins and minerals
• Cut back on salt, which elevates blood pressure

It is important to pay attention to stress and implement a stress reduction program in your lifestyle. Regular exercise can not only reduce tension but helps maintain a healthy body weight. Meditation, massage and counseling are good alternative methods of reducing stress.

Alcohol, drugs and coffee will only aggravate your problems and, in turn, cause additional stress during the college years.