It may be hard to believe that all stress is not bad, especially when you’re juggling classes, a job, friends, and other responsibilities. Stress is your physical, emotional, and psychological reaction to an event. Eustress, also known as positive stress, is meant to focus and motivate you to get the task completed. Small doses of this stress can even improve your performance! When stress becomes overwhelming, it becomes distress and hinders our abilities, causing significant anxiety. Chronic stress creates a lasting negative physical and mental effect on your wellbeing. This often precedes other mental health problems, and can worsen pre-existing health conditions.
Signs of Chronic stress include:
Headaches
Insomnia or oversleeping
Muscle pain or tension
Digestive problems
Constantly feeling as if you can’t get anything finished or are always under pressure
Anxiety or restlessness
Lack of motivation
Irritability
Sadness or depression
Drinking, smoking, or doing drugs to cope with stress
Overeating
Withdrawing from others
If you feel any of these symptoms, you’re not alone. The US Census Bureau determined that ¾ of college students have felt overwhelming anxiety at some point in their college careers and 30% of students feel this each week.
REACH’s Tips to help manage stress:
Take a break and clear your mind! Join a fitness class at the East Gym, listen to your favorite playlist, meditate, take a walk through the Nature Preserve, leave campus and go on an adventure, or even get a massage at the Wellness Suite. Taking a break from the problem can help you be more productive in solving it later on.
Eat to support your body and mind. Our University Registered Dieticians can help you create a balanced diet to keep you fueled because eating certain foods can help decrease stress.
Limit alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can make you feel even more anxious. Instead, try a brain power boosting smoothie!
Sleep! You may feel pressured to stay up all night and study for that midterm, but studies show that getting a good night’s rest before an exam helps solidify information in your memory.
Exercise. At least 2 ½ hours of mild intensity exercise a week (that’s only about 21 minutes a day) can help lower stress. Find a fun exercise program through the Find your Fit program at the East Gym!
Talk to someone. It is okay to need help. Reach out to friends or family for support. The University Counseling Center has an informational webpage that covers COVID-19 stress and has after hour counselors at (607)777-2772. SEEK, a student-run “warmline” is available each night from 8-11pm for students to talk through problems with a peer at (607)777-4357. A crisis text line is also available through texting “HOME” TO 741741 24/7. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can also be reached 24/7 at (800) 273-8255 for those seeking immediate off-campus support. The Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier also offers various supports such as peer support, short-term crisis respite, and more!
Get involved in the community. Helping others is a great way to decrease stress.
Most of all, do your best and try to be positive. You are trying and that is what matters most! REACH is also here for you! Seek out help when you need it, and remember, YOU’VE GOT THIS!
References:
On Campus Resources:
SEEK “Warmline”– (607)777-4357
A “warmline” aims to help individuals with daily struggles that are nonurgent. These can include arguments with friends, academic struggles or missing home. For more urgent assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, University Counseling Center After-Hours Counseling, or 911 depending on the severity of your concerns.
Find Your Fit at the East Gym- https://www.binghamton.edu/campus-recreation/fitness-wellness/activities.html
University Counseling Centers COVID-19 Resources-https://www.binghamton.edu/counseling/covid-19.html
University Counseling Center After-Hours Counseling- (607)-777-2772 and press 2
Nature Preserve- https://www.binghamton.edu/nature-preserve/index.html
Wellness Suite’s Massage Service- https://binghamton.edu/campus-recreation/wellness-services/
Campus Dietitians- https://binghamton.sodexomyway.com/explore/nutrition
Off Campus Resources:
Crisis Text line- Text “HOME” TO 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- (800) 273-8255
Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier https://mhast.org/adult-programs.html
Have an adventure at the zoo- https://rossparkzoo.org/
About the Author: Emily Granickas
Emily is a sophomore Integrative Neuroscience major and joined REACH to help alter health misconceptions, and clear up her own as well. She is an avid sweet tooth, who is passionate about cupcakes and all things chocolate.