Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, engage in physical activity or exercise, talk to a friend or therapist about your stressors, and make sure to prioritize self-care and rest.
So let’s take a deeper look
One of the most common issues college students face is stress. The pressure to succeed academically, financially, and socially can all come to a head, leading to anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health concerns. However, there are ways to calm down and manage this stress.
First and foremost, engaging in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress levels. These techniques can slow down your heart rate, decrease blood pressure, and clear your mind. As the Dalai Lama once said, “If every 8-year-old in the world is taught meditation, the world will be without violence within one generation.”
Incorporating physical activity or exercise into your daily routine can also help reduce stress levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which can boost mood and energy levels. This can be anything from taking a walk around campus to joining a gym or sports team.
Talking to a friend or therapist about your stressors can help alleviate some of the pressure. Bottling everything up can lead to even more stress, so it’s essential to talk about what’s going on. As poet Rumi once said, “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”
Lastly, prioritize self-care and rest. Make sure to get adequate sleep, eat well, and take breaks when needed. According to a study by the American College Health Association, 86% of college students reported feeling overwhelmed. Taking care of yourself can help combat this feeling.
Some interesting facts about stress and college:
- A survey conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that 41.6% of college students reported anxiety, 36.4% reported depression, and 35.8% reported stress.
- The number of college students seeking mental health services has increased in recent years. The Center for Collegiate Mental Health reported that the use of mental health services increased by 30% from 2009 to 2015.
- According to a study by the American Psychological Association, stress levels in the US have increased significantly over the past decade, with the highest levels reported in young adults (ages 18-33).
Here’s a table summarizing the tips for calming down from college stress:
| Technique | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Deep breathing, meditation, or yoga | Slows down heart rate, decreases blood pressure, and clears the mind |
| Physical activity or exercise | Releases endorphins, which can boost mood and energy levels |
| Talking to a friend or therapist | Alleviates pressure and reduces stress |
| Prioritizing self-care and rest | Helps combat feelings of being overwhelmed |
See the answer to “How do I calm down from college?” in this video
This YouTube video provides advice on how to manage stress as a student. Dr. Jabal recommends focusing on organization, time management, and exercise to reduce stress. He also advises maintaining healthy social support and connections with friends, and learning to approach stress with curiosity. If you feel overwhelmed or out of control, Dr. Jabal recommends two strategies: slow deep breathing and mindful observation.
Further responses to your query
Five top ways for college students to manage stress
- Eat healthy foods. This sounds almost like a bummer, but it isn’t.
- Exercise. You may be surprised at how little you actually need to do to get some exercise in.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Manage your time and learn to say “no”
- Practice Mindfulness.
Some ideas that you might try include:
- Doing yoga in the morning
- Walking or biking to class
- Reviewing for tests with a friend while walking on a treadmill at the gym
- Taking an elective gym class focused on leisure sports or exercise
- Joining an intramural sport
More interesting on the topic
How do you calm down college anxiety? 5 helpful ways to cope with college anxiety and stress
- Prioritize self-care. Self-care is all the rage, and for good reason.
- Avoid social isolation. It can be difficult to make time for socializing when you’re stressed and overworked.
- Consider talk therapy.
- Find a hobby.
- Create a study plan.
Why is college so stressful for me? The reply will be: Why are you stressed? College students commonly experience stress because of increased responsibilities, a lack of good time management, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and not taking enough breaks for self-care. Transitioning to college can be a source of stress for most first-year students.
Also asked, Why is my anxiety so bad at college?
The answer is: Many factors contribute to the heightened risk for anxiety among college students. For example, sleep disruption caused by drinking excess caffeine and pulling all-nighters is associated with increased anxiety among college students. Loneliness also predicts mental health problems, including anxiety.
Thereof, How do college students relax?
Response to this: You don’t need to go all-out to get the stress-relieving benefits of exercise and it doesn’t even really matter what form of exercise you choose! Some light cardio, a yoga break or having a dance off in your room. Even stretching your body will help relieve muscle tension and increase circulation and focus your brain.
How do you deal with stress in college?
It’s all normal, and the best way to handle stress is to not get more stressed about…being stressed. If you’re stressed out, admit it and figure out how to handle it. Focusing on it, especially without taking action, will only make things seem worse. 2. Get Some Sleep Being in college means your sleep schedule is, most likely, far from ideal.
Similarly one may ask, How do students calm down before escalation? The response is: Prepare a Student Checklist Have students fill out checklists regarding preferred ways to calm down prior to any escalation. "Some students may check off they will need a hug, others will check off they do not like being touched," said Ghetti. Sometimes the triggers are not obvious to teachers.
How do you calm down a tense body?
When you’re anxious or angry, it can feel like every muscle in your body is tense (and they probably are). Practicing progressive muscle relaxation can help you calm down and center yourself. To do this, lie down on the floor with your arms out by your side. Make sure your feet aren’t crossed and your hands aren’t in fists.
How do you calm down when you’re angry? When you’re anxious or angry, you tend to take quick, shallow breaths. Dehorty says this sends a message to your brain, causing a positive feedback loop reinforcing your fight-or-flight response. That’s why taking long, deep calming breaths disrupts that loop and helps you calm down. There are various breathing techniques to help you calm down.