According to a
"http://www.heri.ucla.edu/index.php">national survey of college students
freshman is at a 25-year low. Since the survey began, women have
reported lower emotional health than men and that gender gap is
getting larger. The survey suggests that this drop in well-being is
related to the current economic climate, which contributes to the
worry students have about getting a job after
graduation.
The stress of choosing a career path and
balancing work with play contributes to the lowered happiness of
college students. Many students in college get trapped into a cycle
of stress that can lead to anxiety disorders and depression. There
are many ways to deal with stress in college, so consider trying
some of the following techniques to reduce stress and improve your
emotional health.
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exercise! Physical fitness
can improve work performance and productivity. Find 20-30 minutes
every day for aerobic exercise. Use
"http://positivepsychologynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ExerciseTimeFinder.pdf"> the exercise time finder
routine.
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make small goals on the path to
your larger goals. Are you putting something off because
the idea of starting is too overwhelming? Sometimes it’s easier to
accomplish a large task by dividing it into a simple step-by-step
process. Consider rewarding each of these small goals with a
"http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/nicholas-hall/2007020681">meaningful treat
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Put aside time to relax.
Meditation, journaling, daydreaming, yoga. Find something that
works for you and spend time relaxing every day.
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Form healthy
relationships. Time spent in social relationships is one
of the strongest predictors of happiness. Talking to friends and
family members about your problems can be an excellent way to
reduce stress.
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat healthy foods and drink less
alcohol. Eat well-balanced meals and avoid overuse of
drugs and alcohol, which can add to depression and decrease coping
mechanisms.
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Seek out a counselor.
There are many different options for counseling at UF. The
"http://www.crc.ufl.edu/students/helpme.aspx">Career Resource Center "http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc">Counseling and Wellness Center
"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be Positive. Pessimism can
be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you tell yourself you are going
to fail, you are more likely to do just that. Cultivating optimism
will help you achieve your goals and lead a healthier, less
stressful life.
While some stress is necessary and normal,
leading a life of constant stress is not. Utilizing the tips above
or discovering other techniques that work for you can lower the
level of stress in your life, which will greatly improve your
emotional health.
