Letting stress build up further deteriorates your mental health. Use the tips to manage stress. Photo by Shutterstock.

It’s that time of year again; finals!  This brings up the topic of finding ways of managing our mental health during stressful times. What are some successful strategies?

• Being Prepared: Planning ahead with our scheduling and assignments is an excellent way of avoiding stress. Unfortunately, this is not always possible or some unexpected delay has occurred. 

• Take a Break: Taking a small amount of time to do something fun can be a needed distraction to recharge your batteries. Make sure to keep things time-limited.

• Get enough sleep, exercise and nutrition: Our bodies and minds work most efficiently when we allow enough time to sleep. Adequate nutrition can help create feel-good chemicals in our bodies. Exercising can keep good chemicals in our bodies longer.
  
• Seek Peer Support:  Chances are you are not alone. Take a few minutes to speak with friends or other college students who are feeling the pressure too. Build study groups with peers in the same courses as you.

• Practice Mindfulness: Stay present in the moment! Do not dwell on past mistakes. Do not try to predict the future. Acting skillfully in the present moment is our greatest superpower!

• Know the Stressful Time Will Subside: Highly stressful times in our lives will pass. Weather the storm!

What resources can you utilize at Lake Land College? 

• Individual Therapy: Make an appointment with me on Navigate!

• Utilize the Calm App FOR FREE: All Lake Land College students have access to Calm. Sign in by using your Laker email address.

• Check out Laker Point on Wednesdays from 11-1.: Fun activities are planned every week. Come meet new people and make meaningful connections to Lake Land College!