When it comes to relieving stress, personal trainer Timothy Lyman explains that exercising can reduce tension within the muscles and release endorphins from the body to cause the feeling of relaxation.
Devising a plan of necessary changes with mental health professional Patti Schwartz can lead to a worry free mind.
And nutritionist Leslie Bonci expresses that soup, oatmeal and yogurt can help fuel the body.
These are just a few ways for students to help relieve stress during the critical final examination period, or for that matter, developing a good routine for the mind and body to maintain a stress free existence year around.
“Stressed isn’t even the word, especially when I have double the homework plus finals,” senior Bianca Brandon said.
When students get overwhelmed with work, nothing good happens, according to helpguide.org, which says symptoms such as memory problems, chills, and nausea can emerge. Besides exercising, talking to a counselor and eating certain meals, there are also other ways to help relieve stress. Walking throughout downtown or Point State Park can be relaxing because it gives people a chance to enjoy the scenery that Pittsburgh offers. Listening to music can also be an escape from reality and having a random dance party by yourself or with friends can help take the tension away.
Students can also take a nap in their dorms or on the bottom level of the library, watch shows that make them laugh or meditate for 10 minutes.
Lyman says everybody varies on different fitness routines and levels of experience when working out. For those who do not know what type of workouts fit them best, they should begin with the basics. “People new to exercise should always start with a solid cardiovascular base and perfect basic body weight exercises to ensure proper form before moving on to resistance training,” Lyman, a Point Park graduate and personal trainer, said.
The Student Center offers various classes that are free to students to participate in activities such as Yoga and Zumba which are held in room 207B, while Survival Combat and Spinning are located on the fourth floor. In addition to the free classes, there are also free personal trainers that are available but registration is required in advance.
Schwartz says while being active is one way to blow off steam, but talking to someone can also help.
Counseling is located on the seventh floor of the Student Center and is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coming up with a plan can help with decreasing stress because it organizes what needs to be accomplished one step at a time instead of juggling multiple assignments.
Constant wondering and worrying about grades or homework being done right can be a lot for a person to keep inside. A student’s health and mind frame can be in jeopardy if they do not get things off of their chest.
“It can lead to depression or interfering with people’s development on school,” said mental health counselor Schwartz. However, there is an alternative for those who don’t like to discuss their issues with someone; ULifeline is a website where students can read various articles and stories about mental health.
Bonci says preparing healthy meals relieves stress because it requires a person to take time to enjoy the meal and digest it properly. Popcorn and hot chocolate are also great because people who are under stress tend to crave something sweet and salty.
When it comes to pulling an all-nighter, that is when the caffeine becomes an issue. The negative to binge drinking beverages such as coffee and energy drinks such as Red Bull is that caffeine has no calories. Combining stress with these drinks can lead to physical toll on the body which includes the increase of heart rate and rise of blood pressure which can make it hard for students to fall asleep during finals.
Even though it may seem like the rainy days will last forever, the sun and rainbow will always come around and shine bright through the darkness.
