Stress Management STRESS What is it What causes

Stress Management

STRESS! What is it? What causes it? What can you do about it?

Why Do We Need Stress Busters? • Strive to achieve a balance between too much stress and not enough stress. • Too much stress interferes with memory, concentration, and learning. • Stress can cause physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and sleeplessness, in addition to more serious health problems.

How Can You Deal With Stress? • Learn to recognize stress and the triggers that cause it in your life. • Reduce stress by using positive stressmanagement techniques. • Try different techniques until you find several that work well for you.

Stress Busters Exercise Deep Breathing • Participate in any physical activity you enjoy • Walk, run, bike, lift weights, play sports, etc. • Yoga & Tai Chi in particular help with feeling calm and centered • Take a few deep, calming breaths • Focusing on a deep-breathing exercise can clear your mind Meditate or Pray • Practice your faith or spirituality • Can help put stress in perspective • Seek out religious/spiritual guidance or support

Stress Busters Express your Creativity • Use your creative talents to express yourself • Write, draw, sing, dance, etc. Listen to Music • Use music as a tool to focus and de-stress • Choose music that makes you feel good – whether it’s upbeat or soothing • Create a “stress buster” playlist Laugh • Laughter is often the best medicine • Find something humorous and take the time to enjoy it

Stress Busters Talk It Out Play • Reach out to a friend, family member, mentor, or teacher • Confide in someone you trust • Ask for advice or support • Spend time on a hobby, interest, or activity you enjoy • Let your “inner child” out to have fun • Take advantage of events and activities on campus and locally Socialize • Spend time with people you care about • Even if you don’t talk about what’s bothering you, socializing can reduce stress

Stress Busters Think Positively • Find a different perspective or the cloud’s “silver lining” • Repeat positive affirmations Take a Break • Give yourself a few minutes of “alone time” to recharge • Returning to the task at hand will be easier after a short break • Try taking a brief power-nap to renew your energy Visualization • Visualize something you find relaxing and calming • Bring your mental imagery to mind when you feel stressed • Recall positive memories

Stress-Busting Activity • Notice which situations and events trigger stress for you. • Try out at least three different stress busters over the next few weeks when you feel yourself becoming stressed. • Pay attention to which ones work best for you.

Journal Entry Reflect on the experience of stress-busting. • What stressors did you experience recently? • Which stress-busting techniques did you try? • Describe how you implemented each technique and the results you achieved. • Which technique was your favorite? Why?

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non. Commercial 3. 0 Unported License.