ASUW OSHR

April 16, 2012

Happy National Stress Awareness Month!

By: Yen Truong

We all hear about stress. More so we have all felt it!

As college students, stress plagues our everyday. If you aren’t stressed out about the upcoming exam, you are stressed about the idea of not being stressed out…really it’s a vicious cycle. If it becomes chronic, stress may lead to many clinical issues such as metabolic syndrome, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep. How do we honor National Stress Awareness Day (April 16)?

10 Methods to lower stress & a happier you:

  • Meditate. While this method does the trick or so many health professionals recommend. I am less convinced that it is the only method, which is why I’ve listed 9 more!

  • Exercise. Just 20 minutes a day! This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym (IMA) or even jog. Grab a friend    do yoga, play in the park, or even jump on a trampoline.  Release endorphins in the brain to feel the sense of well-being. BE ACTIVE!
  • Free events! Why not? Everyone loves FREE STUFF especially when you’re a certified college student, find one on campus! Why not check out HuskyFest this week?
  • Bubble bath…yeah yeah, so you don’t have the bubble bath essentials then hit up the sauna in the IMA that’s free for all current UW students. While you’re there might as well workout.
  • SEX…but do it safely. Don’t want the possibilities of contracting STD/STIs or having an unwanted pregnancy lead you right back to stress. Other than that having sex releases endorphins along with that extra tension. What’s an inexpensive way to play it safe (when you aren’t planning for a pregnancy)?
Answer: Condoms & condoms (which you can easily cut into dental dams for oral sex). You can purchase 55 condoms for $15 at Hall Health in the Wellness Resource Center 187.

 

  • Sing or make a sound paired with your favorite move. This releases tension and only takes a minute tops unless you make it elaborate 😉
  • Go cloud watching. Take a moment to slow down during your busy week schedule and enjoy the wonders of nature.
  • Pet some dogs May 9th on Red Square! SHC will be collaborating with UHELP for Health Wellness Day.

  • Eat foods rich in vitamin B rather than reaching for the sweet stuff. Clams, lentils, chickpeas, almonds, broccoli, fish, and quinoa are just some of the foods high in vitamin B which help put you in a calm state reducing stress and improving your mood by producing serotonin.

 

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can de-stress.What might work for someone else might not do it for you, so find something that helps you. Leave us a comment on how you combat stress!