Stressed? We can help. A guide by Student Success

Stressed? We can help. A guide by Student Success

What does stress look like? Stress can show itself in many different ways. If you are stressed, you may feel: Anxious Overwhelmed Faster heart rate and breath Exhausted by small tasks Panicky

Stress, when left undealt with, can have serious effects on the body, including: 1. Chronic pain 2. Panic attacks 3. Increased risk for heart attack or stroke 4. Ulcers 5. Mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression DID YOU KNOW? 1 in 5 kids in Ontario suffer from mental illness?

But how do we cope with it? These are some of many approaches for dealing with stress that we will talk about. Mindfulness A different perspective on life. Self-Care You deserve it. Physical How your physical health affects your mental health

Mindfulness What s t NOUN a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

How are you going to deal with stress? Tip It s simple!.

Using Mindfulness! Being aware of your emotions makes managing stress so much easier to do. Being aware of what anxiety feels like is a good warning sign that stress is becoming too much!

Practicing mindfulness sounds easy! But where do you start?

Mindfulness can be practiced through meditation. Tip Find a way that works for you specifically! Different things work better for different people. This can vary in appearance! From laying on your bed with music on, to the typical image of zen, to colouring books!

Counseling Hearing other people s advice, or even just hearing yourself describe the problem helps a lot! Don t be afraid to reach out to people. Tip Ignore the stigma around seeking help, and stamp out stigma wherever you see it! Story for illustration purposes only

Mindfulness could also mean taking a break from social media. If stress is triggered by social conflicts, it is okay to spend a few days Facebook-free!.

Self-care noun Care of the self, self-love, knowledge of one s own worth

When stress is abundant, Your mental health suffers. To practice mental-wellness, practice self care. Self-Care is essential for your overall wellbeing, and an easy way to minimize stress in your life.

Self-care is just that: Taking care of yourself. It can be as necessary as showering or as elaborate as treating yourself to a nice dinner. DON T KNOW WHERE TO START? TIP: Set up reminders on your phone for times in the day to practice self-care!

Examples of self care Time Schedule at least 30 minutes a day for doing something you love. Escaping the stress, even for half an hour, will reduce it! Energy Make the effort to take proper care of your physical and mental wellbeing.

PHYSICAL WELLBEING This can range from what you put in your body to what you do with it..

WALK IT OFF Tip If your head is cluttered and you don t know where to start, try going for a short walk!

Physical Wellbeing Includes: Exercise Walk it off! Nutrition You are what you eat! Hygiene When you re stressed, you may forget self-care such as showering and brushing your teeth.

Make sure you are getting 30 minutes of exercise three times a week to feel your best. Be sure to fill your body with all the vital nutrients from healthy foods. Make sure to take proper care of your personal hygiene.

SMARTPHONE APPS Self-care reminders! Guided meditation

Good luck! We hope you use these tips to manage your stress more efficiently! Remember: you are never alone. For more about coping with stress, check out Student Success for resources!