Written by Valerie Huang
As homework piles up and deadlines come closer, the pressure that students feel from school is constantly increasing. Thus, it is no surprise that students can lead very stressful lives, which unfortunately for many of them has resulted in worse mental health and the development of negative coping mechanisms. As such, while a stressful environment may be unavoidable, students can practice certain healthy habits to manage their stress.
Practicing good health is one way to manage stress. This includes getting enough sleep, having a good diet, and exercising. While students are notorious for having poor sleep schedules, getting 8 hours a day or at least taking power naps is key to ensuring productivity and efficient learning. In addition, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is also important to combat stress. Finally, exercising is one last way students can practice good health. Those who are unable to work out at the gym can consider other ways to exercise, such as walking or biking to class or doing yoga. By having healthy habits, students can maintain good physical health, which helps with having good mental health (Scott and Marsh).
Incorporating relaxation into your daily routine is another way to manage stress. This includes a wide variety of activities, such as meditation, journaling, practicing mindfulness, or deep breathing. Today, there are many apps available to help beginners pick up these simple relaxation routines. While these activities are short, they can have a major positive impact on students' lives if done routinely and can greatly reduce stress (Reynolds).
Having a support system is a final way to manage stress. It is important to practice self-love and self-compassion, as being too hard on yourself can worsen a poor mental state. However, it is also important to have people to talk to in hard times. Whether this includes family, friends, or professionals, a support system is essential for maintaining good mental health. Bottling up negative emotions only results in negative outcomes, so being able to talk to someone honestly about your life and ask for advice is especially important in an often uncertain stage of life (Young).
Overall, while it is common for students to neglect their health in favor of their academics, practicing healthy habits and maintaining healthy relationships can help reduce all the stress and pressure in their lives. School is a major part of child and young adult life, but good physical and mental health are most important in ensuring future success and happiness.
Sources
Reynolds, Pamela. “Managing Stress in High School.” Harvard Summer School, 10 Nov. 2022, https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/managing-stress-in-high-school/.
Scott, Elizabeth and Akeem Marsh. “Top 10 Stress Management Techniques for Students.” VeryWellMind, 12 July 2024, https://www.verywellmind.com/top-school-stress-relievers-for-students-3145179.
Young, Emily. “7 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress for College Students.” University of South Florida, 9 Feb. 2023, https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/7-easy-ways-to-reduce-stress-for-college-students.
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