Wellness Center

• Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention Program
• Counseling & Psychological Services
• Student Health Clinic

Stress

Stress is a normal reaction to demands, either from the outside world or from inside yourself (for example, wanting to get good grades). 
As a student, you’ll likely experience stress during your college years in one or more of these areas:  classes and grades, finances, relationships (with roommates, friends, significant others, or family members), jobs, being away from home and adjusting to college life, and looking ahead to life after graduation. 
Some stress is good and helps people to push themselves to do well at things.  This positive stress can help you to finish an assignment; perform well in areas like sports and music; and to meet other challenges. 
However, too much stress can cause problems for your physical health, emotional well-being and academic performance.  Stress is the #1 barrier to successful academic performance in college , so it’s important to recognize the signs of too much stress and learn ways to successfully cope with stress.   

Signs that you’re experiencing too much stress

Physical symptoms

• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue

 

Feelings

• Feeling sad or depressed
• Constantly worrying
• Feeling irritable
• Feeling moody

 

Behaviors

• Withdrawing from friends or family
• Arguing with friends or family
• Blaming others
• Having difficulty enjoying activities that you usually like
• Working harder but getting less done
• Resenting responsibilities
• Crying for no reason

Managing stress

You’ll be better able to cope with and manage stress when you take care of your physical health.  Build a healthy foundation for your physical health that includes these behaviors:

• Getting enough sleep (at least 7 or 8 hours a night, with a regular sleeping schedule)

 

• Exercising (at least 20-30 minutes, 3 times weekly)

• Eating well (three or more well-balanced nutritious meals daily, at regular intervals)

• Avoiding  too much sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or drugs

 

Here are 5 more strategies that you can use to more successfully manage stress:

1. Procrastination is stressful.  Finish tomorrow’s plans today.  Finish today’s plans now.
2. Maintain a reasonable schedule with manageable hours.  If you are seriously overwhelmed and stressed, you may need to cut back on your hours at work or drop a class (even if that means having less money this semester or taking a bit longer to graduate).
3. Learn to say no!  Don’t agree to things that you don’t have time to do or don’t want to do.  If you’re already busy with midterms, don’t agree to participate in a service project.  If you have a big paper due on Monday, don’t agree to take an extra shift for a co-worker this weekend.    
4. Make sure your expectations of yourself are reasonable.  It’s okay to be less than perfect and everyone makes mistakes now and then.
5. Find someone to talk to.  A friend, family member, or roommate can be a good source of support.  If you find one of these relationships stressful, it may help to talk to someone outside of the situation (for example, your health care provider or a counselor).

If you find that you’re having difficulty managing the stress in your life, you may benefit from meeting with a professional counselor.  Southern Utah University students are eligible for confidential counseling services through the Wellness Center.  Call 865-8621 for more information or to schedule an appointment.