Stress is the response of our body and mind to difficult occurrences or sensations in our lives, known as stressors. Most commonly, people knowdistress,which is negative stress. It negatively affects the body and one’s ability to perform tasks. There are three types of distress: acute, episodic, and chronic
Acute stressis stress occurring from a single stressful event. This can result in effects like stomach pain, headaches, and heightened blood pressure Acute stress is typically short-lived and easily managed.
Episodic stressis frequent acute stress. This can cause anxiety and irritability and may lead to heart disease, hypertension, and migraines. Episodic stress is more difficult to cope with, especially because those suffering from it may dismiss it as just a part of life.
Chronic stressis constant, perpetual stress. It can be hazardous to your health, possibly causing stroke, heart attacks, anxiety, depression, and suicide. Like episodic stress, chronic stress is hard to treat as the person enduring it has normalized the experience.
One stress signal that many people experience isanxiety. Anxiety can appear in response to an acute, episodic, or chronic stressor and can occureven when there is no confirmed stressor. Depending on how frequently it occurs and how severe it is, stress can have significant negative effects on your health, including on your digestive, reproductive, immune, cardiovascular, and sleep systems.
However, positive stress, known aseustress, also exists. Eustress can motivate you to meet your goals. Examples of stress include going to your first day of classes, making a new friend, or training for a marathon. Eustress can have positive physical effects, including increasing energy levels, elevating your mood, and overall improved psychological function. It is possible to turn distress into eustress. Framing a stressor as a challenge, instead of a hindrance, can have positive physical and psychological effects.
College can be an exciting yet stressful time, especially when managing academic responsibilities. Balancing coursework, exams, and deadlines can feel overwhelming, but developing effective coping strategies can help you navigate academic stress more successfully.
Tips on how to cope with academic stress:
Maintain a calendar noting when assignments are due as well as exam dates.
You can use the Apple or Google calendars on your phone to easily add and color-code events, important dates/deadlines.
Learn to prioritize. If you’re having difficulty with this, try using The Four Quadrants of Time Management graph below:
Sleep is imperative. Sleep improves your memory, increases your attention span, and lowers your anxiety.
Remember that your grade does not define you! It’s a response to a piece of work, not you.
If you need academic support on campus, you can go to:
TheWriting Centercan help you work both on current projects (at any stage) and on improving your writing more generally across your time at LC. You can get drop-in peer tutoring or an appointment with John Holzworth, the Writing Center director.Located on the main floor of Watzek Library, in the far-right corner as you enter from the main stairs.
While we often associate college with academic stress, other facets of our lives can also be impacted by stress, and creating boundaries is highly beneficial for mitigating stress. Having too few boundaries or too rigid of boundaries can both lead to stress, so it’s important to reassess the desire and needs for boundaries at different times in our lives.
A lack of boundaries may result in taking on the responsibility for others’ thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. There is also the risk of being taken advantage of by others or compromising your values, which can lead to increased stress. On the other hand, overly rigid boundaries may lead to isolation, difficulty accepting support, or strained relationships, which can also contribute to stress. It’s important to find a balance that protects your well-being while allowing for healthy connections with others.
Some common boundaries that students face include physical, sexual, academic, emotional, and financial. Below are some tips for setting better boundaries:
Reflect on the reasons for your boundaries
Start with a few boundaries to avoid being overwhelmed
Consider setting boundaries early on
Try to be consistent with your boundaries.
Carve out time for yourself
Don’t be afraid to include extra boundaries
Set healthy boundaries on social media
Communicate when your boundaries are crossed
Practice self-love and engage in activities you enjoy
Gain some perspective on your boundaries: don’t overthink them and recognize your intuition.
Make sure to recognize and respect the boundaries of others, too!
Health Promotion and Wellness is located in room 110 of Fowler on the Undergraduate Campus. MSC: 182
