As Finals Week approaches, stress levels rise and students will be in the Counseling Center and the Amelia T. Wood Health Center.
Armin Nosic, senior health science major, said stress is a transaction between an individual and a potential stressor, resulting in a negative response.
"It's all about how you interpret stress, whether it's good or bad," he said. "We look at final exams week as something stressful, but getting married is also stressful, just in a different way."
Allen Hinrichsen, junior physical health education major, said there are seven dimensions that link together and, if in proper balance, these dimensions can keep stress from having negative effects.
"These dimensions are social, physical, emotional, career, intellectual, environmental and spiritual," he said. "So if there is a weak link in between any of these dimensions, it will cause a stressor."
Hinrichsen said an example of a weak link is not liking a major or job. He said it could damage other dimensions of a person's life.
Kent Bullis, director of the Health Center, said stress is derived from the development of unhealthy habits, such as inadequate sleep, not eating well or social problems such as with friendships or romantic relationships.
Professor of psychological science David Perkins said blocking responsibilities also is bad for stress because it does not help to prepare for challenges. Taking responsibilities seriously without changing lifestyle can help cope with stress, he said.
Learning to cope with stress during college years is essential to be prepared for the future, Perkins said. It will help with dealing with jobs and family stress.
De-stressStress can develop from unhealthy habits, such as inadequate sleep, not eating well or social problems, such as with friendships and romantic relationships. A good way to stay away from stress is creating balance between responsibilities.
Relieving stress
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Massage therapies
- Playing with pets
- Laugh
Controlling stress
- identify the stressors
- keep a stress journal to pinpoint what or who is affecting you the most
- work on one problem at a time
- improve time management skills
- eliminate job burnout by taking time off and setting limits
Seek help if...
- difficulty sleeping
- changes in appetite
- panic attacks
- muscle tenseness and soreness
- frequent headaches
- gastrointestinal problems
- prolonged feelings of sadness or worthlessness
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