WELLNESS AND MANAGING

STRESS

The Healthy Alternatives

What is stress? The physical or mental strain that occurs when

your body reacts to pressure.

Stress can come from negative situations and have negative results as in: The Office….but stress is NOT ALWAYS negative.

Stress can also result from positive events in the form of excitement, challenges, ect. As in : A Celebration

Stress Reactions

Stress can make you physically ill.

Or, stress can supply heightened readiness to do well on tasks.

Stress in this classroom… What caused the biggest stress for you

when you transitioned from high school to college, or from your previous situation to SMCC?

How have you coped with it?

How do your friends, new and old, help you reduce stress?

What is stressing you the most right now? How are

you coping with it?

Write your response to this question (anonymously) on an index card and hand in.

Avoid, Handle, Reduce Stress

FOOD AND EATING HABITS Balance (vary your diet) Moderation (eat reasonable amounts) Evaluate your eating habits; compare your

consumption with MyPyramid.gov, where you can get a customized food guide.

Snack Smart—avoid high-fat, high-sugar food, try yogurt, frozen fruit juice bar.

Identify emotional triggers, if you eat to relieve stress, try substituting a positive activity.

Avoid, Handle, Reduce Stress

EXERCISE It increases energy and helps you cope with stress Cardiovascular: strengthens lung capacity Strength training: strengthens muscle capacity Flexibility training: increase muscle flexibilityMAKE IT A PRIORITY Walk the “long” way to classes, use the

stairs Use school fitness facilities Play on a team in college or in community Take up a class; salsa dancing, aerobics,

yoga

Avoid, Handle, Reduce Stress

SLEEP College students are often sleep deprived

(5-7 hrs) 8-9 hrs. per night required to function well Improve sleep habits: reduce alcohol and

caffeine, exercise regularly, take naps, be consistent, complete tasks and hour before sleep, establish comfortable sleeping environment.

Avoid, Handle, Reduce Stress

STAY SAFE Be aware of safety issues (areas, functions,

ect) Avoid situations that present danger Avoid drugs or overuse of alcohol Avoid people who make you uneasy Be cautious about giving out personal

information

Avoid, Handle, Reduce Stress

RECOGNIZE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS Depression; body, mood and thoughts Eating Disorders; anorexia, bulimia, binge

eating

ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND TOBACCOFor information on risks see pgs. 324-328 in text

Relieve your stress…

You could opt to take the approach of: This Guy

OR

You could take the healthy route and:Eat right, exercise, listen to music, don’t procrastinate and maybe you’ll feel like this…

After the semester….…and you WILL survive-pat yourself on the

back, take a deep breath and…

Laugh, laugh, laugh!