Is stress overwhelming your life?
Are you finding you’re struggling with everyday things?
Maybe you and your significant other are fighting and you feel bad and don’t know what to do. Do you find you are always getting in a fight with your friends? Are you stressed out from work, school, and your other obligations?
You are not alone. Stress is everywhere and affects people on many levels. The Psychological Services at Fresno City College is here to help students as well as meet their needs.
Sharon Muha, a counselor at the Psychological Services at FCC said, “No one is perfect” and people should not expect too much from themselves. She suggested that instead, people should focus on ways of getting rid of the stress. “Relieving stress takes time, and during stressful periods, you can do something that you enjoy, such as hobbies, meditation, exercise and talking to a friend or family member or visualizing the situation and how you can make it less stressful on you,” said Muha.
She recommended taking time off to relieve stress as well as visiting the school website for more information on the subject. She encourages students to come to the Psychological Services office if they have any concerns.
According to a May 2009 study by MTVU, six in 10 students nationwide reported they felt so stressed out they were unable do their work on one or more occasions (41percent once or twice; 19 percent several times). The same study revealed that 53 percent of students reported having felt so stressed they didn’t want to be with their friends on one or more occasions (35 percent once or twice; 18 percent several times).
“Stress is the body’s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. [It] can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, nervous, or anxious,” wrote Angela Morrow, RN on about.com.
In other words, the world is stressful. Whether it’s the pressure of deadlines for assignments or the satisfaction of acing the finals, stress is everywhere, and it can be both good and bad sources. Attending school and working can cause problems as schedules clash and priorities conflict.
There are two types of stress, mental and physical. All other types of stress, such as emotional stress, financial stress fit into those two categories.
Whatever you are dealing has the potential to stress you out. Most people see stress as a bad thing and handle it poorly, causing a chain of problems. Jason (not his real name), a Fresno City College student, said he has been dealing with tremendous stress since his friend passed away. He does not know what to do and instead finds he cannot think of anything else.
Experts say that this type of stress can be used in a good way such as bringing people together. It’s important to find someone who has faced the same problems and understands how you feel.
According to BBC America, a little stress can be good because it gives people the energy to succeed. Too much stress, on the other hand, can be detrimental to student health.
Some students who have deadlines for their classes wait until the last minute because stress gives them that boost to finish on time. And stress protects the body against infections by boosting the immune system. It can lead to many things that can sometimes help or harm depending on the level of stress.
The Psychological Services office at FCC is open to all students and staff and provides confidential assistance to all in need. Counselor Muha said it is important to just remember stress comes and goes and to just remember to relax and enjoy life.