Top 5 Ways of Coping with Stress

Stress is something that affects many university students at some time or another. It also affects many people outside of academics. With stress-related illnesses costing people money and time it is growing more important for people to learn how to deal with stress. By following the five methods outlined stress levels can be significantly reduced. This would enable those suffering from stress to be more productive and make them less likely to fall behind.

1. Getting lots of rest: Sleep is a vital recovery period for the body but many students go to bed late and get up early during exam periods or near deadlines. Sleep gives the mind several hours to switch off and relax, so it’s more important than ever during stressful periods such as exams. The long-term effects of insufficient sleep can also be severe. Lack of sleep over a long period damages your health and your ability to work. It is better to get sufficient sleep and wake up able to put in your full effort as opposed to staying up late.
2. Get some exercise: Exercise is also frequently cited as a great way to relieve stress. The endorphins released when exercising produce a feeling of happiness that can help people when feeling overwhelmed or anxious. A good thirty minutes to an hour of exercise each day can keep stress levels down as well as making you healthier. The physical benefits of exercise also contribute to keeping stress down as worries about health and fitness can contribute to stress. Taking some time out to go for a walk, jogging or going for a swim can be a great stress reliever.
3. Take regular breaks: Working more than two hours at a time has been shown to lower productivity as stress increases. Taking breaks whilst writing an essay will enable you to come back with a fresh perspective. The occasional break while revising is also very useful as it enables you to process what you’ve already learned rather than overwhelming yourself with too much information at once. During your breaks, do something non-strenuous. Have something to eat, relax, read a magazine etc. It really helps.
4. Keep your procrastination in order: Procrastination is often a major cause of stress. When several essays need to be handed in within several days of each other it is easily overwhelming. If you start work ahead of time it means that you avoid the last minute scramble to get everything done. By devoting half an hour a day to future assignments you can be well prepared for when the deadline gets closer. It also means you may finish early enough to have plenty of time to redraft your work, check it through properly and maybe even hand it in early.
5. Prioritise: If several assignments are due within a few days of each other it is best to focus on the most immediate problem first. Dealing with tasks in order of the time they must be done by can stop you trying to do everything at once. When trying to do too much at once many end up getting very little done at all. Scheduling your day can also be helpful for this. Rather than worrying about having too little time, you can prioritize more efficiently.

Stress is not only bad for your health. It’s also bad for getting things done and bad for employers. According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive 3.2 days per worker are lost each year through workplace stress. The same can be said for university where many students feel so overwhelmed that they miss classes, miss deadlines and miss out on top degrees. The pressure of deadlines, exams and also the problems of maintaining a part-time job can seriously impact on the health and productivity of students. Without learning how to cope with stress many students then go on to be stressed at work later in life.