Academic stress can make it tough for you to thrive as a student, and implementing stress management techniques for students can help. From academic pressures to trying to balance life responsibilities with a tough course load, many people who’re working through their education experience stress. Left unchecked, stress can begin to affect your physical and mental health, making it even harder to stay on top of your busy to-do list. Thankfully, there are several stress management techniques for students that you can use to help you stay calm, no matter how tough your courses.
Let's take a look at some of the strategies you can use to manage your school-related stress.
1. Deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing exercises don't just feel great because you take a moment to pause and think—they can also lower your cortisol (stress hormone) levels, (click here to check out the latest research).
Box breathing can be a simple way to get started with deep breathing. The concept is simple: inhale for 5 seconds, hold your breath for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds. This technique can act as an anchor in times of stress, and you can return to it at any time, even if you're taking an exam or getting ready for a presentation.
The 4-7-8 technique is also popular: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. This technique also works well for anxiety, and can be especially helpful if you're having trouble falling asleep.
2. Mindfulness and meditation practices
Staying centered in the present moment can be tough when you're dealing with stress, and practicing mindfulness and meditation can help.
Some of the positive effects of meditation include:
- Lower resting heart rate
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased creativity
- Increased self-awareness
- Better sleep
- Less focus on negative feelings
There's no need to carve out an hour for meditation each day in order to reap the benefits of the practice. Check out a simple guided meditation session (like this one!) to help you center and become mindful of what's happening inside your head.
3. Time management skills
Feel like you're constantly running from one task to the next? You're not alone.
A 2015 study showed that 53% of college students struggle more with time management in college than they did in high school, and 78% of college students say that they struggle with time management throughout their college careers.
Try these tips to make the most of the time that you have:
- Identify and eliminate time wasters: Social media can be fun, but it's easy to get stuck scrolling. Set a time limit each time you look at social media, and consider removing the app buttons from the home screen of your phone so that your accounts are a little more difficult for you to access.
- Plan it out: Finding a way to keep track of your daily tasks can work wonders when it comes to managing your time effectively. Find and use the method that works for you. Whether you prefer pen-and-paper or a digital calendar, keeping an eye on what's ahead can help you make sure you're prepared.
- Stop multitasking: While it can be tempting to do more than one thing at a time, this often backfires. Focus on one task at a time, and finish it completely (if possible) before moving onto the next item on your list.
4. Physical activity and exercise
It's a bit counterintuitive to think that adding one more task to your list could help you manage your time more effectively, but it's true: exercise can help with time management. Since exercise releases endorphins and lowers stress levels, it can help you boost your overall feelings of well-being, making it easier to sail through assignments faster than you can when you're under stress.
5. Healthy eating habits
Eating well can help you have the energy you need to thrive despite your busy schedule—and loading up on nutrient-dense foods can even make you a better leader, according to Forbes. When you eat well, you're better able to keep even energy levels throughout the day, helping you ward off the afternoon crash that can cause a slump in your productivity.
Researchers believe that most of the body's serotonin (mood-boosting chemical) receptors are located in the digestive organs. If the bacteria in your gut are healthy, scientists theorize that your receptors may work better, helping you stay happier. A boost in happiness can help to provide a much-needed boost in productivity—making it easier to manage your time.
6. Adequate sleep
One of the simplest ways to improve your well-being is getting high-quality sleep. We understand that all-nighters can be tempting, especially when you're having trouble sleeping due to thinking about your seemingly endless to-do list. That being said, getting enough sleep helps to improve your ability to get things done during the day.
If you're struggling to get enough sleep due to academic stress, you're not alone.
Try these tips to get the shut-eye you need:
- Protect your sleep schedule. Aiming for 7–8 hours of sleep each night and going to bed/waking up around the same time (even on the weekends) can help you get the rest you need.
- Avoid naps. If you must nap, keep it early in the day, and don't sleep for more than an hour.
- Cut the caffeine. When you drink coffee or other caffeine, your body stops listening to its own sleep signals, which can make it difficult to fall asleep. If you're not willing to give up caffeine entirely, try to keep your intake to less than 400 mg per day (about 4 cups of coffee).
7. Using technology for stress management
Used correctly, technology can be a valuable tool to reduce stress and help you learn more about your mental health needs. Using apps to manage your sleep, nutrition, stress levels, and physical activity can all provide valuable insights into the stress management strategies that work best for you.
When it comes to finding the best ways to manage stress, it's key to pay attention to what works well for you. You may find that your stress management techniques need to change over time—for example, the stress management tools for elementary students that worked well for you may not be effective for managing stress in college. Changing up your physical activity, understanding your own sleep needs, and changing your mindfulness habits can all play a role in accommodating your changing stress management needs over time.
At Evidation, we're here to empower you by helping you understand the health data that you choose to share. Based on the information you provide, we offer insights and content to help you live your best, least-stressed life. Learn more about our app here and get started today.
