Ten top tips to reducing stress

Tuesday, 04 January 2011 00:00

Advice

Exams are coming and time is running out…… Stress has bad press, however there is good and bad types of stress. Bad stress can develop if people can no longer cope with the pressures placed upon them. As a student it is important to find a life balance.

Here we look at ten top tips for reducing stress

1: Learn to manage your time more effectively
We all have 24 hours in a day, yet many of us don't use this time effectively.  This can put unwanted pressure on us. As we are late meeting deadlines, don't have enough time to study or we haven't enough time. Set routines, using a diary is a fantastic way of managing your time.

2: Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Eating a balance diet, exercise and sleep is vital. Exercise is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety, and depression. To get the most benefits, aim for thirty minutes or more of exercise per day.  Exercise releases serotonin and endorphins which makes us feel good.  Staying hydrated is also important, aim for 2 – 3 litres of water daily.

3: Know your limitations and do not take on too much
As students getting the student / life balance can be difficult, with work, study, college and other commitments.  Don't be afraid to say NO… if you feel this commitment will cause you inconvenience and stress.  It's important to remain focused. We are all different, be yourself, and avoid conflict situations.

4: Find out what causes you stress.
Take time to discover what is worrying you and try to change your behaviour to reduce it. Thoughts become feelings and feelings become behaviours.
'If we always do what we always done, we will always get the same result'

5: Make time for contemplation and appreciation
Think about the things you're grateful for. Mediate / relax, take a moment to pay attention to what is good and positive in your life over the course of the day. From reflecting on your situation make any changes which may help you.

6: Accept the things you cannot change
Every decision we make is done for two reasons. (1) To avoid pain and (2) To gain pleasure.  We can only change and influence things we're in control of. If you cannot change things accept it and move on.  

7: Take time out to relax and recharge your batteries
Living in the now is important.  Creating a balanced life style is key to good performance especially as a student and for exams.   Relaxation helps your body return to its normal healthy state. Good relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, massage and a variety of complimentary therapies. Use what works for you.

8: Find time to meet friends.
Friends, can ease troubles, a problem shared is a problem halved. Friends help us see things in a different way. The activities we engage in with friends usually help us relax and we will often have a good laugh. It boosts the immune system which is often depleted during stress. If you do become stressed engage in some form of physical activity. It works off the biochemical and physical changes that occur within your body due to stress. Look to get the balance between study and your social life.

9: Try to see things differently
Our perception is not always our reality.  If your finding something difficult talk over your problem with somebody before it gets out of proportion. Often, talking to somebody else will help you see things from a different and less stressful perspective.  Remember the key is to focus on the solution and not the problem.

10: Avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and foods high in sugar and saturated fats as coping mechanisms
Long term, these faulty coping mechanisms will just add to the problem.
For example, caffeine is a stimulant and our body reacts to this with the stress response. Sugar will spike your insulin levels followed by a massive drop making you feel tired and down.  

FIND A BALANCE.