Monday 29-04-2024 - 11:49

April marks the beginning of ‘Stress Awareness Month;’ an awareness campaign run by the charity ‘Stress Management Society.’ The Stress Management Society has been running for over 20 years and aims to tackle the stress epidemic by giving helpful advice and taking away some of the stigma about the effects of stress.

This year’s theme is Little By Little, and emphasises the transformative impact of consistently making small, positive changes in your everyday life, in order to improve your wellbeing. The final semester can be a super overwhelming time for students, with exams, assignments, deadlines and dissertations, but we’re here to offer some steps to take care of your mental and physical health.

 

Eat, Sleep, Hydrate

If stress is having a negative impact on your health, ask yourself if your primary needs are being met – sleep, nutrition, and hydration. Addressing these areas of wellbeing are crucial when it comes to managing stress. Aim to get around 8 hours of sleep at night, in order to set yourself up for the day and prevent burnout.

Drink plenty of water and eat good, nutritious food to fuel yourself for studying. The temptation to neglect your diet is strong, as cooking good food can be time consuming, especially when deadlines are piling up. We’ve all been guilty of resorting to pot noodles and convenient snacks during exam season but taking time to shop and meal-prep wholesome food can make a significant difference to your concentration and wellbeing. Check out our Budget Bites series on our social media for delicious student-friendly recipes.

 

Exercise and Fresh Air

Once you’ve addressed these fundamental physical needs, you can take other steps to manage your stress. Don’t underestimate the impact of getting outside, breathing some fresh air, and moving your body. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise; even a walk does wonders for your mental health! Ormskirk has some lovely spots such as Ruff Wood, Coronation Park, or even a wander around Campus. Apps such as ‘Foot-Path,’ can help you map out loops near you for walking.

Additionally, if you feel you don’t have enough time on your hands, try your best to enjoy some of this slightly warmer weather in small ways. This could be as easy as having your lunch outside or walking home from classes instead of getting the bus into town.

 

Socialising

Talking can really help when you’re feeling stressed. During this busy period, it’s easy to isolate yourself and get absorbed in work. However, connecting with your friends can alleviate anxiety and give your brain a break. Set some time aside to catch up with friends or family, grab a coffee or take a walk together, it will do you the world of good!

 

Mindfulness and Wellbeing

It can be difficult to maintain focus and motivation when you’re overwhelmed at university, especially when you feel like there’s nothing to look forward to until after exams. Having a healthy balance between studying and doing something for yourself can be a great incentive for your hard work. You could try yoga, cooking, baking, or reading!

Check out our list of reading recommendations for de-stressing during this stressful time here. Alternatively, invest in some selfcare. Take a bath, do some skincare, meditate, or something that makes you feel relaxed.

 

Detox

Sometimes when we’re feeling overwhelmed, the best thing is to detox in some form. Tidy your study space as clutter can make it difficult to concentrate and contribute to further stress. If tasks like these overwhelm you, try setting a timer on your phone for 5-10 minutes, and get as much done as you can in that time. Every little helps, and you’ll often find that once you get started, you may have the motivation to finish the job.

Another tip is to take a brief break from social media. We are all guilty of scrolling endlessly and getting into a rabbit hole of excessive screen time. However, a break from your phone is super beneficial, so set app limits and indulge in some other hobbies or time in nature.

 

Time Management

Taking care of yourself is important, but you can also assess your time management. This small step can allow you to take all this advice into account and balance your life a little easier. Organise your studying in time blocks, with time allocated for regular meals, socialisation and taking care of yourself. There’s some great apps to help you stay organised such as Todoist and 24Me. When you take a little bit of time to get organised, it’s much easier to stay on top of things, and subsequently manage your stress levels.

 

Tackling stress is a marathon, not a sprint. It can’t be gotten rid of overnight, but if you complete small tasks every day, you can adjust your daily routine accordingly. Little by little, these small steps can accumulate over time to make a big difference in your life.

Speak to our advice team for more support regarding academic stress at university.