UNC Healthy Heels

As the semester continues it is so easy to get overwhelmed with mounting responsibilities: classwork, homework, tests, group work, projects, student organizations, jobs, friends, family, relationships, and the list goes on and on. In hustle and bustle of busy college life it seems impossible to take time to relax, even though stress management is an important skill to develop for your personal wellness. Isn’t important skill development what being a college student is all about?  Below is a list the stress experts at Student Wellness put together for managing stress.

See if you can add a few to your daily routine!

Thou shalt…

1. Organize Thyself.
   Take better control of the way you’re spending your time and energy so you can handle stress more effectively. Need help? Check out some time management strategies on our website.
2. Control Thy Environment by controlling who and what is surrounding you.
   Do you have study buddies or are your friends always encouraging you to go out when you have work to do? Pay attention to how your friends influence your habits.  In this way, you can either get rid of stress or get support for yourself.
3. Love Thyself by giving yourself positive feedback.
   Remember, you are a unique individual who is doing the best you can.
4. Reward Thyself by planning leisure activities into your life.
   It really helps to have something to look forward to. Seek out healthy ways to spend your free time.
5. Exercise Thy Body since your health and productivity depend upon your body’s ability to bring oxygen and food to its cells.
   Therefore, exercise your heart and lungs regularly, a minimum of three days per week for 15-30 minutes. This includes such activities as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, aerobics, and more!
6. Relax Thyself by taking your mind off your stress and concentrating on breathing and positive thoughts.
   Dreaming counts, along with meditation, progressive relaxation, exercise, listening to relaxing music, communicating with friends and loved ones, etc. Want to try something new? Check out our iTunes Relaxation Audio Files!
7. Rest Thyself as regularly as possible.
   Sleep 7-8 hours a night. Take study breaks. There is only so much your mind can absorb at one time. It needs time to process and integrate information. A general rule of thumb: take a ten minute break every hour. Rest your eyes as well as your mind.
8. Be Aware of Thyself.
   Be aware of physical signs such as insomnia, headaches, anxiety, upset stomach, lack of concentration, colds/flu, excessive tiredness, etc. Listen to your body and give it the rest and care that it is asking for.
9. Feed Thyself / Not Poison Thy Body.
   Eat a balanced diet. Avoid high calorie foods that are high in fats and sugar. Don’t depend on drugs and/or alcohol. Caffeine will keep you awake, but it also makes it harder for some to concentrate. Be careful about drinking coffee in the afternoon it can lead to trouble sleeping. Remember, a twenty minute walk has been proven to be a better tranquilizer than some prescription drugs.
10. Enjoy Thyself.
    It has been shown that happier people tend to live longer, have less physical problems, and are more productive. Look for the humor in life when things don’t make sense. Remember, you are very special and deserve only the best treatment from yourself.

When you trying out some of the commandments for size, the following resources might be helpful!

• Campus Health
  • Academic Stress Help
  • Regular and Walk-in Counseling Appointments
  • Support Groups
  • Grief, Identity, Stress, Relationships, Living with Chronic Diseases
• Campus Rec
  • Yoga/Pilates classes
  • Fitness Orientation
  • Sessions with Personal Trainer
  • Intramurals
• UNC Career Services
  • Decide on a Major
  • Build your resume
  • Explore careers
• Financial Services
• International Student Services
• Learning Center
  • Study groups
  • Tutoring
  • Academic Counselors
  • Improve Reading
  • ADHD/LD Services
• Writing Center