Yes, students can start their recovery from anxiety no matter the severity of it right now.
There are many reasons why college students may suffer from anxiety and stress. For many, college may be the first time that they are alone, away from home, and without a family/friend support system. Anxiety may occur due to academic demands and stress about tests and submissions. In addition to emotional and physical loneliness, students may also have to be financially independent, prompting them to take part-time jobs while simultaneously trying to meet the deadlines at college. And finally, thoughts about life after college, like getting a job, etc., can also result in anxiety.
Below are the 3 ways in which students can start their recovery from anxiety:
1. Take care of your body, the physical self
- Studies have shown that lack of sleep can harm one’s reasoning capacities and the memory. This can have an adverse effect on school performance and make it more difficult to pass through each day. Sufficient amount of quality night time sleep will help the body and mind to recuperate, make you clear-headed and less confused, and thus help recover from anxiety (THIS podcast episode will help).
- Students can start their recovery from anxiety with a mindful approach on their diet. It is crucial for college students to eat properly and eat well. Excessive consumption of caffeine can worsen the physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Regular exercise can help ease the tension in the body. Reduced tension can have a positive effect on anxiety levels.
- Find out different ways to calm down when hit by anxiety. You may try different breathing techniques, squeezing/playing a stress ball, etc. You may also engage in different relaxation techniques such as meditation, slow counting to a 100, visualization, and thinking in rational ways through countering limiting/negative thoughts.
2. Find different support systems
- Find an outlet where you can let off some steam and stress. It can be some kind of social gathering/activity, like taking part in certain sports or going out; it can be joining a college group or a social club; or it can be as simple as finding an enjoyable hobby.
- Also, find someone who you can trust and talk to about your stress and anxiety. In some cases just talking about all the events and situations that cause anxiety and stress, and having someone to actually listen to them can help considerably decrease anxiety and stress.
- Most college campuses have student health centers. Some colleges may also have additional resources like a psychiatric services and counseling center that offer mental health services. You can visit such centers and get help for recovery from anxiety. In my personal opinion, a CBT based approach works best when looking at long term relief from anxiety.
3. Practice being present and give yourself time to heal
- Different studies have found that thinking rationally, optimistically and positively has a beneficial impact on physical wellness, lowers the production of distress, and reduces feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.
- It is also important to be patient with oneself when on the road to recovery from anxiety (and potentially health anxiety as well). Anxiety is a challenging disorder and there are no short term measures to overcome it. Give yourself time and keep working towards the goal of anxiety desensitization, and the results will follow sooner than later.
The endless demands of study and social life as a student has the potential to turn someone into a perfectionist. It’s important for you to understand however, that everything is fleeting. Even these days as a student will pass and you will blossom into the next chapter of life, whatever that may bring. So take time throughout each day to remind yourself of this.
Stress = perfectionism (this YouTube video will explain).
Take more time for yourself and take less time looking to meet the demands of others. Yes, your studies are important, but they aren’t everything and you surely don’t want to pay a physical price for your time in College or University. Be your own greatest cheerleader. You’re going through a very interesting time in your life. My best advice for you however, is don’t allow stress and anxiety to be a part of who you are. These are mental and emotional states, they are also fleeting warrior.
Students can start their recovery from anxiety right here, right now. Take some time to reflect on these messages today.
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