Final exams are approaching, meaning many college students are under a good amount of stress and anxiety. We are ready for this semester to end so we can have a long holiday break with family and friends before the new year.

However, it is imperative for students to consider how our bodies physically, mentally and emotionally react to stress and be able to manage it appropriately. The emotional and mental impacts are pretty well known, such as irritability, anger and depression. The physical impacts don't always come to mind, yet they can lead to major health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and headaches.

A little anatomy lesson: the autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system responsible for control of bodily functions not consciously directed. This consists of the sympathetic nervous system, aka the fight-or-flight response and the parasympathetic nervous system, aka the rest-and-digest response, which functions under a relaxed state. Your body's parasympathetic nervous system is working to help your organs function. Your heart slows while your digestive system stimulates. On the other hand, excessive worry or fear can lead your sympathetic nervous system to accelerate your heart, stimulate epinephrine, norepinephrine and glucose release and inhibit your digestive system. It even affects your pupils, bronchi and saliva production.

The way your body works is interesting in so many ways, especially how it reacts to major stressors. Remember to take care of yourself and make time to chill out. Make this a priority during the month of finals by practicing time management, taking study breaks, and doing whatever it is that makes you happy, whether it's working out, petting a dog, deep breathing, listening to Christmas music or getting coffee with a friend. Make sure you take advantage of campus resources and seek support if you are feeling overwhelmed. The holidays are almost here... you got this!