Puppies, Papers, And Plans

Six tips to help you manage your stress...

Who doesn’t love puppies? Even if playing with the soft, cuddly fur balls isn’t your thing, you have to admit: It’s hard not to crack a smile when you see them skipping around. In fact, studies have shown that our furry friends actually cause our brains to release feel-good chemicals, which in turn, lower stress levels.

Animals are just one of the many ways people destress. Regardless of how you destress, knowing how to manage stress is important—especially now as you may be feeling the pressure of final assignments, exams, and future decisions.

Margaret Clarke, director of counselling and health services at Briercrest, shares a few practical tips of what you can do when you’re feeling overwhelmed by a seemingly never-ending to-do list.

1. 1. Write it down. Get all the tasks that are overwhelming on paper and make it concrete. This gets it out of your head, where it keeps running around in circles.
2. 2. Prioritize it. What is due soonest? What is most important? What can wait?
3. 3. List it. Write a “to do” list
4. 4. Break it down. If any task is still overwhelming, keep breaking the task down until it is in manageable chunks that are doable.
5. 5. Cross it off. As tasks are completed, cross it off the “to do” list. This results in a release of feel-good chemicals in the brain.
6. 6. Celebrate. Even if you can’t spare a lot of time, be sure to take a break in between and reward yourself in small ways.

Briercrest has a number of resources available to support our students academically, spiritually, and emotionally. From student leaders, staff and faculty, to professional counsellors, there are many people here to walk alongside you and help you succeed.

http://www.briercrest.ca/successcentre

http://www.briercrest.ca/college/college-life/health-counselling-services/

Let us help you start better.