While students at Syracuse University love giving their 110 percent all the time, that can be easier said than done. Stress is often not a fun thing to talk about or manage, but if you know the right resources and coping mechanisms, it can be a lot easier than you think.
Stress comes in different forms. Finals. Internships. Friends. Jobs. Family. Budgeting. Grades. With over 300 extracurriculars students can participate in, 120 credit hours to graduate, and time for friends and a social life, students at SU love to be busy. But, it isn’t always easy.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that 40 percent of college students have felt more than an average amount of stress in the last year. For SU, that is an average of 8,994 students. In April, SU and the Office of Health Promotion (OHP) host Stress Less events throughout campus to teach more students about stress and how to manage and cope with it.
Stress is our body’s response to a perceived demand or threat. Everyone experiences stress differently, so before you can manage stress, it is important to identify some signs that you may feel stress. There are physical signs and effects of stress, such as feeling sick or having headaches or difficulty breathing. There are also behavioral signs and effects that include changing eating and sleeping patterns, procrastination and increased substance use. Issues with memory concentration, poor judgement, and worry or anxiety are often mental signs and effects. Lastly, emotional signs and effects include depression or anxiety, increased moodiness or anger and feeling lonely or overwhelmed. It is important to note that everyone experiences stress differently, so while you may experience physical signs and effects, your best friend may feel some of the more emotional signs and effects.
While stress is often viewed as a negative feeling, it can actually sometimes be positive: this is distress versus eustress. Distress creates negative feelings, causes negative consequences, and can often involve procrastination. Eustress, on the other hand, can actually compel us to act, enhance our cognitive abilities, and can make us more productive. Think about how a runner feels right before the shot goes off for the race. While they are most likely feeling anxious, nervous, and tense, they need this stress to motivate them to run as fast as possible.
So that’s stress. You know how to identify it and what it means. Not to fret, there are plenty of ways to cope with stress. Once you recognize when you feel stressed, ask yourself why – what specifically is making you stressed? You can become aware of these stressors and then recognize what you can change, either in that moment or in the future.
Just as everyone experiences stress in different ways, everyone manages stress in different ways.
Here are some things that OHP recommends:
- Sleep 7-9 hours a night, exercise 3 hours before you sleep, and eat a healthy balanced diet.
- Try relaxation techniques like meditation or breathing routines.
- Prioritize and manage your time. If you have an exam tomorrow but also need to clean your room, your messy room can wait! Prioritize your exam, so you don’t get too overwhelmed later.
- Try not to drink more than one caffeinated beverage a day.
- Reach out if you are feeling too stressed, and visit OHP for resources.
Also, know that you are not alone. SU has plenty of resources to try and help you feel more comfortable and at home.
- MindSpa: The MindSpa is currently located in the basement of the Counseling Center (111 Waverly Avenue) and offers all the de-stressing methods one needs: guided meditation videos, comfy cushions, a Happy Light, de-stress trinkets and more (just schedule a time online).
- Pacifica: Any SU student can download the Pacifica app for free with their NetID username and password. This app offers daily mindfulness tools and techniques.
- Health Hub: Have you ever seen a bright orange dome appear in your school building? The Health Hub pops up all over campus 2-3 times a week and promotes different health and wellness initiatives. Spin the wheel, learn something interesting, and get a prize (10 swipes and you get a free water bottle)!
- SoulTalk: This student-run discussion meets once a week to explore your greater purpose and to understand and explore different parts of yourself.
- Therapy Dog Thursday: This one is an SU favorite. Every last Thursday of the month, stop by Bird Library to pet some adorable therapy dogs.
This week, OHP is offering Stress Less events. These events will be in Bird Library on Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.
While stress is different for everyone, SU students should know that they are never alone. The Office of Health Promotion, Health Services, Counseling Center, and Student Assistance are four offices that are completely meant to help students. If at any time you or a friend feels like you might need help, please reach out to any of these resources.
Written by Caroline Blair ’20, S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and The Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Students Advocating for Mental Health Empowerment peer educator
If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis or seeking support regarding sexual assault or relationship violence, 24-hour 365-days-a-year crisis support services are available to all SU students by calling 315.443.4715. In-person services are available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.