How Learning To Cope With Stress Can Change Your Life
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Learning To Cope With Stress Is Essential

Self-care is the key to a good productive life.

47
Learning To Cope With Stress Is Essential

April is a scary month for college students. Remember when the semester started and you looked at the syllabus, saw things due in April and thought, "I have so much time to do this!" Well, if you have not done those things, I am sorry to say your time is almost up. April crept up on me in the worst way. The last week of March, I had a paper due for one class, and a major exam for another class. I was also recovering from being sick and was not feeling up for the intense study sessions I ultimately had to partake in. I spent the entire week stressing out more than I should have.

I don't think people realize the physiological and psychological effects intense amounts of stress can have on a person. When someone is stressed, their cortisol levels rise and they can experience many symptoms that can affect their ability to complete the things they are stressed about. Heart rate can become elevated as a result of stress, which is something that easily happens to me. I become anxious about my workload and put intense pressure on myself to get everything done, which raises my heart rate. The heart is a muscle, and it should not be pumping more than it needs to, which is why this symptom is one of the worst symptoms stress can cause.

Sleep is super important when you have a packed day every day of the week, however, sometimes stress does not even allow you to rest your eyes when you have the chance and causes you to stay up worrying about getting everything done in time. This is also something that happened to me at the start of last week. I could not sleep no matter how hard I tried to. This was something that has never happened to me before and it scared me. I was frustrated because I knew that if I did not get enough sleep, that I would be exhausted the next day, which would ultimately cause me to lessen my level of productivity.

Once I realized that I was hurting myself by stressing out so much, I changed up everything I was doing, and I am so glad I did.

I started meditating whenever I had the chance. On Wednesday, my busiest day of the week, I felt absolutely awful. Every part of my body ached. I was dealing with the symptoms of being sick previously, but I was also dealing with my stress. I had a lot of work due, but instead of doing it, I laid in bed, played a guided meditation video on Youtube, and took a nap for an hour after relaxing my muscles.

I woke up feeling so much better. I also finished all my work in due time.

The next day, I woke up and worked out for an hour. I typically would avoid working out when I had a busy day because I felt like I should be working on my school work all day. I realized that I needed time for myself and that working out was not a waste of time. It was helping me set up the rest of my day. I feel energized all day after my workout.

After this, I made myself breakfast. I made a fruit smoothie, eggs, and had some almonds on the side. My healthy breakfast helped keep my energy up throughout the day. I studied all day for my exam and the next day, after following the same routine, I did very well on my exam.

I was still a bit stressed, but I was stressed a normal amount. I was stressed to the point where I was motivated to work and study, but where I was not feeling overwhelmed.

The week went by and I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish while also taking care of myself. I think it is important to remember that self-care is the key to a good productive life. If you don't take care of yourself first, you will not be able to succeed, because your body does everything you want to do!

This finals season, take a deep breath, dry some deep muscle relaxation, take the time to workout, drink water, eat healthy foods, and relax before bed so you can get a good night's sleep! Seek out things that make you happy and can calm you down when you are dealing with stress, and you'll be unstoppable.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57068
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36801
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958558
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190089
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments