How To Manage Stress as a College Student

Stress in college students is common — increasing workloads, poor time management, changes to diet and sleeping routines, and lack of breaks are common reasons why college students are stressed. As a result, stress and college students are becoming a stereotype.

However, effective stress management can eliminate the common causes of stress in college students. Here are some tried-and-true methods for how to manage stress for college students.

Eat Nutritious Foods

Malnutrition is one of the many effects of stress on college students. No matter how busy you think you are, you should prioritize eating properly and eating nutritious foods. Lack of nourishment will lead to poor health and weak brain function. If your body is weak and you can’t think straight, you will be more stressed because you can’t do your academic work properly. A healthy body means a healthy mind — which helps you manage stress better.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep should also be a top priority, just like eating healthily. Always remember that your body is your biggest investment; if it’s weak or sick, you won’t be able to accomplish anything as a student, including attending class, doing your homework, or performing academic work. These factors can all lead to stress. A good night’s sleep will keep you healthy and provide you with the energy you need to complete all of the day’s tasks. If you have more energy, you can appropriately organize your day and reduce stress.

Practice Proper Time Management

One of the best methods to reduce stress is to have effective time management. Use a calendar, buy or create your own daily or weekly planner, and be sure you follow it as strictly as you can. Practice saying no to requests or invitations that may interfere with your time management strategy. Better time management will keep you on track with the tasks at hand, which will reduce your stress.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is one of the effective stress relief events for college students. Regular exercise helps keep your body healthy, combats stress, and improves general brain function by releasing endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body. Exercise can also make it easier for you to sleep, which can lessen stress. You don’t need to do high-intensity or long workouts for them to count — stretching, yoga, and walking is all it can take to reduce stress and improve your mood. Try to set aside just a few minutes every day to exercise and you’ll see the difference!

The Bottom Line

Working on yourself is a great place to start when managing stress. To manage your stress, start by taking care of your physical and mental well-being so that you can deal with the difficulties that cause stress. Focus on yourself by making sure you’re healthy and manage your time properly — make sure you have time for self-care and set a time to engage in stress-free activities for college students. Remember, college student stress is common, however, don’t allow stress to ruin your experience as a student because there are things you can do to effectively manage stress.