It’s common for college students to experience stress and anxiety from time to time. However, if you are consistently struggling with stress, it is vital to recognize that stress can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health. This impact can manifest in multiple ways, like eating disorders, sleep deprivation, mood swings, inability to focus, use of artificial stimulants, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug abuse, among others.
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1) Eat healthy: Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial and it’s best to indulge in a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Staying away from processed foods, fast food, high-fat and high-sugar foods can reduce stress levels.
Are you aware that embracing a poor diet can increase your stress and anxiety levels over time? If your diet does not have the required nutrients it can lead to cognitive impairment, weight gain, and physical and mental stress. Embracing healthy eating habits and consuming plenty of water throughout the day will help you stay fit and energetic.
2) Exercise : Regular exercise and sufficient sleep are vital for maintaining physical and mental health. Exercise helps to release tension, uplift mood, and lower stress levels. It also enhances overall health.
In addition to working out at fitness centres or gyms embracing other daily activities, like parking farther away from buildings, taking the stairs, biking, hiking, walking, or jogging can also contribute to your health and fitness.
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3) Get adequate sleep: Did you know that adequate sleep is also crucial for optimal health and it is one of the primary aspects that many students overlook? While you may think missing a few hours of sleep isn’t a major issue, it can negatively affect your performance and memory, as well as your ability to handle stress.
Getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night can improve your brain function and support tissue repair and muscle growth. Establishing a regular sleep schedule can help you get enough sleep and steering clear of electronic devices before bedtime can help you fall asleep more easily. If you’re still awake after 20 minutes of trying to sleep, try doing calming and soothing activities until you feel sleepy.
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4) Use your time wisely and learn to say no: Effective time management is a crucial approach to relieve your stress, and can be achieved by organizing your tasks and learning to say no to requests. To get started, you can use a daily or weekly planner or a digital calendar.
Once you’ve identified the most suitable time and effective management approach, ensure you stick to it to achieve the best results. Be sure to prioritize each task for the day or week and allocate a specific amount of time for each, starting with the most important. This should include time for class, study, work, family, friends, and personal interests. It’s essential to take breaks and indulge in relaxation activities that interest you, like choosing a hobby or listening to music.
Do you know that one of the most common reasons for stress is taking on too much? So, it’s crucial to learn to say no; although it may be difficult to decline requests, it’s necessary to avoid overloading your schedule and increasing your stress levels. You can politely let the person know that you appreciate their request but are unable to take it on at the moment. Remember, saying yes to everyone can lead to neglecting your priorities and obligations, which can lead to stress in the long run.
5) Cultivate mindfulness: Mindfulness is a technique that involves focusing on the present moment and being aware of one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment, which is one of the proven ways to tackle stress.
Practising mindfulness can also help individuals identify their needs and take care of themselves better. In addition to mindfulness, there are several other ways to induce relaxation, such as deep breathing, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, journaling, and positive thinking.
College students often experience stress due to new responsibilities, living arrangements, schedules, classes, and social situations. However, if stress becomes overwhelming, it’s always best to seek support and guidance from mentors, family or friends.