Collegiate Times

We all have those days that seem like they last forever, and with the oncoming holiday season it seems like finding easy, short days are a rarity. Searching for the perfect gift for someone, making holiday plans, family gatherings and not to mention final papers, presentations, and exams are all pressing issues. The last few weeks before the end of the semester wind up in a whirlwind of papers and grades intermixed with goodbyes from roommates and friends. All of these things are exciting and busy but also very stressful.

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced stress. The American College Health Association announced stress and anxiety have ranked in the top four factors that affect college students’ academic performance. This ranking has not changed in the past nine years. For many college students, this is not surprising.

Not only is stress highly correlated with academic performance, but also with physical and mental health. Stress triggers the fight or flight response that came in good use when we were fighting prehistoric animals. For example, when faced with a saber-toothed tiger your eyes would dilate, blood flow would increase and a chemical release of adrenaline would help you to avoid being lunch. But, in the age of cars and electricity, this instinct is no longer the basis for survival. High stress rates from school or work may trigger this natural response resulting in the opposite effect. Chronic stress can lead to a lower immune system, which can increase your chances of getting sick. High stress rates are also associated with high blood pressure, high blood sugar and a multitude of other disorders. In fact, according to the American Institute of Stress, 75 to 90 percent of all visits to a family physician are related to stress.

Stress is also strongly associated with mental health. Stressful situations or environments have been found to be positively correlated with most mental health disorders. Stress is not a diagnosable disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but anxiety disorders can be very similar to the feeling of being stressed all the time. There are many different subcategories of anxiety disorders with a wide array of paranoia degrees. It is important to know that there is treatment available whether it’s through counseling or medical treatment.

Although the holiday season can bring a feeling of wellbeing and cheer, it is important to take care of yourself, especially with finals right around the corner. A few ideas that may help you feel less stressed are creating a to-do list and checking off the items as you finish them. This way you don’t forget about anything and save it for the last minute, not to mention crossing items off makes you feel like you’re progressing. Also, resisting the urge to over eat on all the holiday goodies or restricting your diet to purely coffee may contribute to increased stress. Making sure you eat balanced meals each day will help keep you healthy and focused.