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By Misty McCullough
Stress is one of the No. 1 cause for college students to drop out. Stress is the result of coping with life’s daily demands and the major cause of stress is change and fear of the unknown. You have to remember that not all stress is bad and without some stress our lives would be boring. But, too much stress can cause both mental and physical health problems. These include headaches, backaches, sleeplessness, irritability, increased susceptibility to colds, stomach problems and/or depression.
It is normal to feel stress and almost every college student has some stress in his or her life. Some typical college stressors include roommate problems, test anxiety, deadlines, midterms, finals, relationships, parents, and school and work responsibilities. About 25 percent of all college students have reported that they have felt like dropping out of school because of too much stress in their lives.
March is finally here though and many student count down the days till SPRING BREAK!!!! Being a college student myself, I know that sometimes you can’t afford to go on a vacation. Remember though that spring break is a time to sit back and relax. I am going to talk about a few things you can do to relax on a cheap budget.
Not only does life itself get stressful, but so does managing school. One thing you can do to help relax from the stressors is bring religion into your life. Some studies have suggested that people who use “religious coping” such as seeking God’s help and finding comfort in religion will have lower blood pressure than those who use alternate stress relievers.
The simple act of praying for stress relief might be enough to achieve your goal. One of the most important relaxation techniques you can do is sleep. About 60 percent of people who are stressed say they don’t get enough sleep, according to a National Consumers League survey.
If falling asleep is your trouble, it’s time to start a calming bedtime routine. You can start with a soothing shower and some lavender body wash. Then crawl up under the covers with a novel and you’ll be asleep in no time. Another way to reduce the college stressors is participate in physical activities. Physical exercise increases your heart rate, such as walking, running, bicycling, or swimming which is especially useful for counteracting the harmful effects of stress.
You should also participate in something that you really enjoy doing. Making time to do something you like can help you relax and make you more productive in other areas of your life. Another great stress reliever is to participate in body-centered activities, such as yoga, Pilates, and if you can afford it, indulge yourself in a massage.
Stress in one of the number one killers in the world. Most college students are juggling fifty things at once and often feel overwhelmed or stressed. It is crucial to take spring break and relax. Participate in activities that will help your body relax. Most importantly do activities that let you forget about school, work, relationship and all the other stressful events. Taking the time to relax will not only make you feel better inside and outside but you will be re-powered for school to start!
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