Stress Management

STRESS!

What is it?

What causes it?

What can you do about it?

Why Do We Need Stress Busters?

• Strive to achieve a balance between too much stress and not enough stress.

• Too much stress interferes with memory, concentration, and learning.

• Stress can cause physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and sleeplessness, in addition to more serious health problems.

How Can You Deal With Stress?

• Learn to recognize stress and the triggers that cause it in your life.

• Reduce stress by using positive stress-management techniques.

• Try different techniques until you find several that work well for you.

Stress Busters

Exercise• Participate in any physical

activity you enjoy• Walk, run, bike, lift weights,

play sports, etc.• Yoga & Tai Chi in particular help

with feeling calm and centered

Deep Breathing• Take a few deep, calming

breaths• Focusing on a deep-breathing

exercise can clear your mind

Meditate or Pray• Practice your faith or spirituality• Can help put stress in

perspective• Seek out religious/spiritual

guidance or support

Stress Busters

Express your Creativity• Use your creative talents to

express yourself• Write, draw, sing, dance, etc.

Laugh• Laughter is often the best

medicine• Find something humorous and

take the time to enjoy it

Listen to Music• Use music as a tool to focus and

de-stress• Choose music that makes you

feel good – whether it’s upbeat or soothing• Create a “stress buster” playlist

Stress Busters

Talk It Out• Reach out to a friend, family

member, mentor, or teacher• Confide in someone you trust• Ask for advice or support

Play• Spend time on a hobby, interest,

or activity you enjoy• Let your “inner child” out to

have fun• Take advantage of events and

activities on campus and locallySocialize• Spend time with people you

care about• Even if you don’t talk about

what’s bothering you, socializing can reduce stress

Stress Busters

Take a Break• Give yourself a few minutes of

“alone time” to recharge• Returning to the task at hand

will be easier after a short break• Try taking a brief power-nap to

renew your energy

Think Positively• Find a different perspective or

the cloud’s “silver lining”• Repeat positive affirmations

Visualization• Visualize something you find

relaxing and calming• Bring your mental imagery to

mind when you feel stressed• Recall positive memories

Stress-Busting Activity

• Notice which situations and events trigger stress for you.

• Try out at least three different stress busters over the next few weeks when you feel yourself becoming stressed.

• Pay attention to which ones work best for you.

Journal Entry

Reflect on the experience of stress-busting.

• What stressors did you experience recently?• Which stress-busting techniques did you try?• Describe how you implemented each

technique and the results you achieved.• Which technique was your favorite? Why?

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