It might seem weird to write about stress at the beginning of the semester. However, it seems even weirder to talk about relieving or preventing stress during a time where everyone would be feeling stressed out. But now, with the economy in such bad shape, stress can start before classes really get moving. It is best to be fully aware just what stress is and what it can do to you.
Stress is a normal part of life. There is no such thing as a day without stress. There can be days with little stress. During the school year, it is difficult to image a day when your stress levels are where it should be. According to familydoctor.org, stress is caused by “the body’s instinct to defend itself.” Your body is primed for action with nothing to do with that energy. This builds up and causes feelings of anxiety, fear, worry and tension.
The amount of stress in our lives is highly dependent on certain factors such as physical health, the quality of social relationships, the number of responsibilities we carry, and the number of changes or traumatic events that have recently occurred in our lives. People with poor nutritional habits, who do not get enough sleep, or those who are ill are unable to fully handle the pressures of everyday life and so have higher stress levels.
Excess stress can show itself with a variety of symptoms that manifest differently for people. The most common physical symptoms are sleep disturbances, muscle tension, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and fatigue. Other symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, overeating or loss of appetite, loss of enthusiasm or energy, and mood changes.
There is now evidence, on WebMD.com, which shows that extreme stress is one of the causes to a variety of diseases or conditions. These include “anxiety disorders, depression, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, some gastrointestinal diseases, some cancers, and even the process of aging itself. Stress also affects the regularity and severity of migraine headaches, episodes of asthma, and fluctuations of blood sugar in diabetics.”
It is important to take breaks when things seem overwhelming. The weekends are a time to relax, not to party all day and night. If you need to, take mental health days to get yourself back on track before everything starts to accumulate. Create a routine that suits you and allows you to get all your work done. It could end up helping to plan a course of action when life throws something unexpected at you. Here at Northeastern, there are a few options available to deal with stress. Campus Recreation, located in the PE Complex, offers Mind and Body classes like Yoga and Pilates to combat stress. Exercise too can help alleviate stress levels in the body. The counseling office located below the cashier’s office has trained professionals who can help as well. The resources are there, they just need to be looked for.