Starting the Year Stress Free!

5 Ways to Manage Your Stress throughout the Year

Studies show that some of the most weakened immune systems usually occur in undergraduate students, especially during scheduled exams such as midterm and finals week! As we all know, life can be extremely challenging, especially as an international student. Learning to cope successfully with new situations and the stress that comes with them, is a skill which can be applied beyond the college experience.

Start your New Year Stress free with a few healthy tips:

1) Love Yourself: Promoting a healthy self-esteem is a big step to getting through the school year. Obstacles can make you believe that you’re not good enough and you definitely are! You can combat these emotions by staying away from isolation. Human interaction is great! Surround yourself around people who make you feel welcomed and safe.

2) Don’t be Defensive: It’s natural to want to deny the stress you’re going through, especially when you’re living somewhere new. Times of great frustration can cause us to retract from the things we love to do. Make sure you don’t lose sight of your favorite hobbies and continue to participate in what makes you happy.

3) Stay Positive: Life is bound to throw curveballs, it’s best to have a flexible mindset. Although difficult at first, everything has a “bright side”. Try looking at your stress from a new perspective. What goods comes from it?

4) Vent it Out: Always be true to your feelings. Keeping your emotions bottled can cause stress to double up. Find a nice, relaxing setting and talk it out with someone who understands you!

5) Stay Organized: Stress can manifest from chaos. Be it assignments or exams, try to schedule when to do your work so things don’t pile up.

Celina Marrero, College Assistant

John Jay College of Criminal Justice (City University of New York)