Stressed Out? These tips might help

This past Sunday, I wrote a post about being stressed out and the personal challenge I was undertaking to help deal with my stress levels. Well, after reading some of the comments left from some fellow students, I decided to try to share some of the things I have learned about dealing with stress and anxiety.

Everyone gets stressed out from time to time, that's a normal part of life. However, if you or someone you know has very high stress levels no matter what is going on, it might be a good idea to seek out help. Here are some things to do to help reduce stress:

• Don't get stressed about being stressed: As silly as it sounds, just think about it; how often does focusing on your stress make you more stressed out? Exactly. Focusing on the stress itself just makes it worse. Admit to yourself that your stressed and find ways to reduce it
• Get some sleep: Being a college student, we typically think it's a great idea to do a million things, and this leads to late night hours catching up on our homework, or just catching up with our friends. Either way, it leaves us feeling sluggish the next day, so go ahead and take that nap, you know you want to!

• Eat right and exercise regularly: One's diet can have a lot to do with your stress level. Different foods can effect your modd in different ways. The best idea is to just eat a balanced diet and get exercise at least three times a week. Even though it might not seem like you have time to work out, make time. You won't regret it.
• Get some quality you time: (I constantly struggle with this one.) Find some time that is just for you. No cell phone, no television, no friends (as much as you love them), just yourself. Try going a walk by yourself, enjoying a coffee alone, whatever it is that helps to recharge you.
• Get some friend time: Sometimes we tend to get in the routine of work, work and more work. We forget that our brain is a muscle too and just like other muscles, it needs a break every once and awhile. Go watch a movie with your friends, or just go out and have fun together. Have some fun! We're only young once after all.

(See what I did there... =)...)

• Make your work fun: This might be more difficult for some, but really give it a shot. If you're freaking out about a test coming up, see if you can rent out a classroom and have a big study party. Organize a study game. Working on a paper? Make a deal to get together and work on them, then take a break together and get dinner. Small things can make ll the difference in refreshing your mind.
• Take a step back, and ask for help if you need it: (This is the hardest one for me to do so I'm taking this one directly from the source, no paraphrasing.) "You may be handling your own problems and trying to help others around you. While this can be nice for them, check in and be honest with yourself about how your helpful demeanor may be causing more stress in your life. It's okay to take a step back and focus on yourself for a little while, especially if you are stressed and your academics are at risk. After all, how can you keep helping others if you're not even in a state to help yourself?" If you have a tough time figuring it all out, don't be afraid to ask for help from your friends, coworkers, teachers or counselors.
• Don't forget why you're here: It's easy to get bogged down with all our extra curriculars that we tend to forget that we all came to college to get an education. Academics should be at the top of our list, and most of the time they aren't. There just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything, and if you don't pass your classes you won't be able to enjoy any of it. "Make sure to keep your eye on the prize THEN head out and change the world!"