The student’s journey is often navigated under the shadow of chronic stress, a condition that persists like a silent undercurrent beneath the surface of campus life. Whether it’s the snail-paced morning traffic enroute to school, stirring up feelings of restlessness before the day has even begun, or the relentless academic pressure of midterms, finals, and the barrage of assignments—stress is an unwelcome but familiar presence. As a student, it’s not just the deadlines that fray the nerves, but the multifaceted expectations from educators, friends, and family, each adding a strand to the already tangled web of responsibilities. According to Dr. Rebecca Hendrickson, a professor in the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the US, our inherent cognitive and emotional patterns play a crucial role in processing intricate information about the world and guiding us towards appropriate actions. In simpler terms, stress serves as a signal that prompts us to take action for our safety and readies our body to respond accordingly. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the fight-or-flight response. When confronted
with a threat, our body prepares us to either confront the danger or escape from it. Subsequently, once the threat subsides, our body returns to a state of calm and equilibrium. While this response mechanism proves beneficial in scenarios such as swiftly avoiding an oncoming vehicle or evoking the instinctual reactions of our ancestors when facing predators, it proves less effective in situations where neither fighting nor fleeing offer viable solutions. Consider instances like meeting impending deadlines, dealing with social anxiety, or navigating the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. Dr. Hendrickson further stressed that while acute stress may come and go, chronic stress lingers, interfering with our ability to return to a state of calm, leading to a plethora of
health issues, from heart disease to mental health concerns. You might not be able or willing to change the circumstances that are causing you stress, but you can build resiliency and learn strategies that help reduce stress and promote well-being. “Anything that interrupts those positive feedback loops and helps actively strengthen the breaks in for our fight-or-flight and stress response systems, helps decrease the negative effects of chronic stress,” Hendrickson says.
6 Proven Strategies to Tackle Chronic Stress
1. Finding Peace
Amidst this constant state of alertness, where every day feels like a tightrope walk over a sea of responsibilities, finding solace in the church or school chapel can offer profound relief. The chapel serves as an oasis of tranquility in the bustling landscape of academia. Praying and meditating on the mysteries of the rosary, or participating in the Mass, can provide a deep sense of peace and grounding, offering a spiritual respite that has been known to alleviate the pressures that weigh heavily on young shoulders.
2. Prioritizing Movement
Physical exertion is another antidote to stress, serving as both a distraction and a release. Engaging in the school’s extracurricular activities, from intramural sports teams to dance clubs, allows for a much-needed mental and physical break. The camaraderie and shared goals inherent in these activities offer a sense of belonging and achievement outside of academic pursuits, countering stress with the endorphin rush of movement and the joy of collective endeavor.
3. Embracing Mindfulness
Mindfulness practices, woven into the fabric of daily life, can serve as an anchor in the tumultuous sea of student concerns. Beyond the silent contemplation in the chapel, a few minutes spent in quiet reflection between classes, focusing on the rhythm of your breath, can dissolve the immediate anxieties, bringing a student back to the present moment, where peace resides amidst chaos.
4. Confronting Emotions
Confronting emotions head-on, students are urged to embrace moments of selfreflection to understand the source of their stress. When besieged by a demanding schedule, take time to identify the emotions at play. Understanding whether the stress is a manifestation of self-doubt or a rational response to an overloaded agenda can clarify the necessary steps to address it—steps that could range from peer discussions to time management strategies.
5. Allocating Worry Time
Structured worry time can also serve as a tool for compartmentalization. Setting aside a period during the day to process stressors can confine worrying to a designated space, allowing the rest of the day to unfold with less anxiety. This methodical approach to worry can prevent stress from becoming a 24/7 experience and instead make it a tackled item on the day’s agenda.
6. Seeking Support
For those times when stress becomes a cumbersome load, too heavy to bear alone, the support systems within the school stand ready. A chat with the school chaplain, a session with the guidance counselor, or simply a conversation with a trusted faculty member can provide significant relief. These figures are lighthouses for students navigating through the fog, offering guidance, support,
and sometimes just a safe harbor to voice their concerns.
