Tactics to reduce stress vary among Ball State students

Some rely on bubble baths, sketching, music to de-stress

All-nighters, cram sessions and deadlines are a recipe for disaster as Finals Week nears.

However there are ways for students to combat stress and keep themselves healthy.

According to professor of psychological science David Perkins, it is important to find a balance between responsibilities and social relationships.

Senior health science major Andrea Archbold said the best way she deals with stress is through aromatherapy.

"Bubble baths, candles and relaxing music are good," she said. "Anything that can take your mind off stress."

Kent Bullis, director of the Amelia T. Wood Health Center recommends making time for personal activities, like going out for a walk, eating ice cream with friends, taking a warm bath and eating chocolate. He said chocolate has a number of chemicals that help relieve stress.

"I also recommend sleeping well," he said. "Even if students think it makes sense to sleep less to get more things accomplished, studies show that if a person sleeps less time than they are used to, their hours awake will be less productive."

Bullis also suggested working out, but does not recommend it to students who, throughout the semester, have not done any exercise activities.

Perkins recommends students do activities they are more comfortable with, such as staying healthy by eating right, relaxing and looking for support from family and friends.

"Sometimes instead of looking for support, students offer support to relieve their stress," he said. "When a person feels they can offer help, they feel more capable of doing more activities. Students can combine all these activities or do none at all, these activities don't necessarily apply to everyone"

Although Bullis and Perkins' suggestions sound helpful, students around campus have alternative ideas of what to do to cope with stress.

Freshman visual communications major Nick Boyum said he uses his drawing skills to relieve stress.

"Usually I sketch when I feel stressed," he said. "But sometimes just hanging around with friends and playing board games with them helps me as well."

Freshman psychology major Philip Hammer likes to be well prepared for an exam, but he does not press himself too hard.

"I study ahead of the deadline of an exam, but I don't overstudy, that stresses me out," he said.

While some people feel stressed when driving, sophomore exercise science major Nick Colins said he enjoys driving.

"It doesn't matter where I drive, I just like to wander around while I listen to music," he said.

Some other students like to talk with people or stay in public areas. Sophomore public relations major Julie Paulauski said she likes changing her status on Facebook whenever she feels stressed.

"I also like chatting with friends, it makes me feel relieved," she said.


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