By Shristi Patni
Students today experience a significant amount of stress that takes a toll on their grades, health and happiness.
A study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that teenagers have similar stress results as adults.
This means teenagers experience chronic stress and have little means to cope effectively. They feel sad, depressed or overwhelmed and don’t know how to reduce stress.
Stress also affects health-related behaviors such as exercise, diet and sleep patterns which when combined, takes a larger toll.
Causes of Students Stress
Another study was conducted to find the most common causes of stress among students. It was found that most of the stress is caused by school and their activities.
Chronic stress, if untreated, can persist into college years leading to mental health issues and academic disengagement.
The most common causes of stress among students include:
- Work
- Relationships
- Transitions (living independently, moving out, graduating)
- Social challenges
- Extracurricular activities
- Homework
- School
High school students are the worst hit amongst all the students. They have to take up challenging courses, face intense competition, participate in extracurriculars, study, ace placement tests and plan for their future.
College is another place that causes a lot of stress amongst students. Once a student is accepted, the stress continues. The need to make new friends, fit in, handle the challenging workloads and live independently. Romantic relationships cause an extra layer of stress.
Students don’t understand how they can manage stress and navigate their life better.
With a full schedule of lectures, activities and assignments it’s difficult to dissipate stress.
This is why we bring you the 5 Best Stress Management Techniques for Students.
#1. Get Proper Sleep
The number one mistake you make as a student is compromise on your sleep.
And it’s okay to stay up a night or two when you’re having fun but maintaining a proper sleep schedule is crucial to keep stress at bay.
When you deprive your body of sleep, you reduce your productivity. You feel sluggish and disoriented throughout the day.
This hinders your learning abilities and causes additional stress of missing out on your studies.
Have a strict sleep schedule. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Don’t shy away from taking naps either.
#2. Exercise
The easiest (and cheapest) way to blow off some steam is to start exercising.
You can easily incorporate a small exercise routine into your daily schedule.
Walk or bike to school or college or do Yoga in the morning.
Exercising as little as 15 minutes a day will have a major impact on your overall health and well being.
#3. Start Visualizing
You can use guided imagery to reduce stress. It’s effective, easy and doesn’t require a lot of time.
Visualizations help you calm down, detach from everything and relax.
It’s also an excellent way to prepare yourself for the things that causing you the most stress.
For instance, if you’re nervous about giving a speech, sit down, light your favorite scented candle and visualize yourself giving the speech.
You’ll feel less stressed when you see yourself performing just like the way you wanted to and will by being able to prepare early on.
#4. Listen to Your Favorite Music
Research suggests that listening to music can help reduce stress.
It helps you calm your mind and stimulate it as the situation demands.
Relax with your favorite melodies, “wake up” mentally by listening to upbeat music and play classical music when studying.
#5. Get Organized
Clutter can cause immense stress, decrease your productivity and can also cost you money.
Most students are guilty of living in cluttered spaces which often leads to negative effects on their grades.
One of the best dress management techniques is to stay organized.
Ensure that your study area is a soothing, minimalist space that’s devoid of clutter and distractions.
This helps reduce stress and saves time in finding lost items and keep you positive.
A clean and tidy space will encourage you to study more and get better grades.
It’s actually worth the effort.
The Takeaway
Stress is a part of human life and the sooner you understand how to deal with it, the better it is.
The best stress management techniques still pretty much remain the same: eat well, exercise regularly, get proper sleep and do things that make you happy.
Other than that, self-talk and use affirmations to help you stay happy and stress-free.
Which stress management techniques work for you? Do you have any other techniques that help combat stress? Tell us in the comments section below.
Author Bio: Shristi Patni
Shristi is a content writer and owner of F and B Recipes. She enjoys creating a list of “Things That Make Happy” or coming up with creative Food Blog Names. Formerly the Chief Content Officer at Raletta, she is currently working on her second cookbook.
Facebook: F and B Recipes
Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consultant Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals. The program in online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.