How to Safely and Effectively Cope with Stress at College

In college there are plenty of stressors. Whether it involves being stressed out about a class, your friends, a relationship or something else, eventually you will have to deal with stress. While there are many different ways to deal with stress, I would like to give you a few that are better suited for the college lifestyle.

The first way to effectively deal with stress is to do some sort of physical activity. Anything from going to work out at the gym to just going for a long walk would be good. All of these things are healthy for you and usually free too. Exercise in general has been proven to release endorphins in the body which causes your mood to become more positive. This break from whatever had been stressing you out will also cause you to step back from the issue and then reevaluate it.

A second way is to just step back from the stressor. What this accomplishes is that when you step back and really figure out what is bothering you, you can achieve an objective perspective on it. Then after that, you usually are more calm and collected then before so you can go at the issue with more clarity. An example would be if the stressor was your roommate, go hang out at your friends dorm or house or just go to the library or another quiet place to relax. This technique can also be combined with the others that are mentioned for a stronger effect.

A third technique is meditation. Now for some this may sound too new age and they may not give it a chance. I suggest trying it for yourself before you knock it. To do this sit in a comfortable chair or lay down. Then close your eyes and breathe in through your nose for a count of four then exhale through your mouth for a count of four. Continue this for about ten to fifteen minutes. After the first two or three minutes, the rest will seem to fly by. It's really just that easy. You will feel very refreshed (almost like you would after a power nap) and you will be more calm and collected and ready to tackle what you need to get done.

With these techniques you can enjoy your college experience and be able to effectively and safely cope with the stresses you may encounter in college.