The stress response can be strong and consistent during times of life change, and going to college is a significant source of stress for most people. Learning to balance a new normal and dealing with feelings of homesickness, all while studying and trying to build new relationships, can lead to struggling with tension, anxiety, or depression. In this article we'll take a closer look at stress in college students and how to manage this stress in a healthy way.
Adults leaving home for the first time can find that the pressure can be challenging. Research suggests that major life changes can be extremely stressful. Learning stress management can be crucial for college students to maintain their mental health and academic performance. Untreated chronic stress can lead to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Developing effective stress management tools can help students reduce anxiety and improve their overall sense of well-being. Students can combat stress by prioritizing self-care, seeking support from friends and family, and accessing available resources.
Stress response is a normal part of life, but excessive stress can lead to burnout and decreased academic success. Chronic stress can have negative effects on a student’s physical and mental health, including headaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
College students often experience stress due to various aspects of their lives, including academic pressures, social life, and relationships. Understanding the causes of student stress is key to developing effective stress management strategies.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides fact sheets and resources to help students manage stress and improve their mental health.
Students can develop stress management skills by learning specific relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help students reduce stress and improve their mood. Students can practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment, without judgment. You can also try exploring the following:
Students can also practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques through apps, online resources, and campus workshops. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help students manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve their overall mental health.
There are a number of healthy lifestyle habits that offer protective factors for mental health and can help to reduce student stress.
You can reduce stressful situations and challenging situations by implementing certain skills that can help improve your ability to organize events in academic settings and daily life.
Negative thoughts can spiral out of control when you are feeling stressed, and the body can have strong physical and emotional responses to both real and perceived stress when in a heightened state of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a therapeutic approach that can teach you to identify stress triggers, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and shift patterns of thought and behavior into more positive directions.
By paying attention to symptoms of stress in your own body, you can address them immediately with evidence based grounding exercises that trigger a relaxation response. Some of these grounding exercises include:
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and students should prioritize it to maintain their overall well-being. Students can prioritize their mental health by engaging in activities that bring them joy, practicing self-care, pursuing personal growth, and and seeking help when needed.
Mental health resources are available on campus, including counseling services and support groups. Students can also access campus resources online, such as telehealth services and mental health apps. Prioritizing mental health can help graduate and undergraduate students reduce stress, improve their academic performance, and increase their overall sense of well-being.
Students can access mental health resources on campus, including counseling services, support groups, and stress management workshops. Online resources, such as telehealth services and mental health apps, can also provide students with convenient and accessible support.
Students can also seek help from their primary care physician or a mental health professional in their community. Raising awareness of these resources can help students manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve their overall mental health.
Managing stress as a college student requires a combination of self-care, social support, and stress management techniques. Students can manage stress through practical stress management skills such as prioritizing tasks, setting boundaries, and taking breaks. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can also help students manage stress. However, if all this stress becomes overwhelming, working with a professional can help.
At Williamsburg Therapy Group, our team of doctoral-level Chicago psychotherapists allows you to work with a trained professional that can create a treatment plan and offer a variety of practical strategies, healthy coping skills, and effective techniques that will allow you to reduce the anxiety you experience. They can also treat depression or any other co-occurring conditions.
If you've been thinking about seeking help for difficult thoughts or feelings around the pressures of school, reach out to our customer service coordinator to get matched with a mental health care professional who specializes in managing anxiety. Managing stress is essential for college students to maintain their mental health, improve their academic performance, and increase their overall sense of well-being.