Across all ages, students can be prone to being stressed out due to the various expectations and responsibilities that are placed on them at school. These pressures can be academic in nature, such as homework and exams, or socially related; a lot of people have a desire to fit into groups, relationship issues, or there may be conflicts with other students that are causing distress. Nonetheless, there are multiple things that students can try to reduce stress and the effects on them, so they can not only improve their academic performance but just feel happier and healthier all around, and this article will share some of the most important ones to help you achieve that.
1. Ensure You Sleep Enough
There are numerous factors that can cause students to try to skip out on sleep, like trying to catch up on assignments, studying for exams, spending time with friends, or entertainment, but cutting even just one hour every night adds up and will affect your mental health negatively.
In order to feel your best and improve your academic performance, you must make an effort to get enough sleep, which is around 8 hours each night, on average.
2. Practice Time Management
Students can probably notice an improvement in their stress levels by prioritizing their tasks more effectively and also stop procrastinating.
Sure, there might be better things going on, but delaying your responsibilities only adds pressure on you to get things done later on, and in an already busy schedule, things can quickly pile up and get out of control. Therefore, it’s important to get organized and stay on-top of things if you find this to be a source of your stress.
3. Deep Breathing & Muscle Relaxation
Taking the time to focus on your breathing can be an excellent way to reduce stress, especially in the short term, because it can help calm you down right then and there.
If you’re feeling anxious right before an exam or an important speech, taking slow deep breaths, holding them and slowly releasing and tensing your muscles and gradually relaxing them can encourage the relaxation response in the body which is the opposite of the fight-or-flight response which can be triggered by these types of situations in school.
4. Diet & Exercise
In addition to sleep, what you eat and staying active is beneficial for both your physical and mental health, and it’s recommended that you take them into consideration.
Students can have a tendency to eat junk food and sugary caffeinated beverages, to try to stay focused, this is more harmful than it is helpful because it can cause your energy levels to plummet, which affects your mood and ability to concentrate. When paired with a healthy diet, exercise can also give you a more sustainable source of energy, and it will also promote the release of endorphins to help you relax and feel good.
5. Counseling & Therapy
It’s okay to not have all of the answers, and students might feel the pressure to try to figure out everything on their own, which makes life more stressful.
Even if you’re feeling the slightest bit concerned about your mental health, you are encouraged to talk to a professional who can help sort out your thoughts and feelings. You’re not alone, and there are often counselors on campus who are there for students just like you. You can also find advice and connect to a therapist online at: https://www.mytherapist.com/advice/.
Conclusion
School is something that will inevitably stress you out at some points, but with practice and self-care, you can keep it under control so that it doesn’t become a chronic problem that affects your academic performance and your entire life. Perhaps these tips will help you along the way in managing stress so that you can improve your quality of life in the short and long term.