Classes, work, sports and homework; there are never enough hours in the day. We find ourselves running from place to place with no time to relax. For some, this is not a big deal. They have learned to fly by the seat of their pants and keep on going. But for others, time constraints and busy schedules equal stress … and lots of it.

Everybody has a moderate amount of stress, and that is normal. But when stress affects everyday activities, causing a constant state of freaking out, it can result in some serious health problems if not dealt with properly. According to an article from steadyhealth.com, “stress triggers changes in our bodies and makes us more likely to get sick.” It also makes you more susceptible to depression, sleeping problems, headaches, trouble concentrating, mood swings, stomach problems, and even high blood pressure and heart problems. These are very serious problems that should not be taken lightly.

There are always more stressful times in life than others, but no matter what the situation, it is important to always keep stress levels in check. I have fallen victim to constant stress and some health problems in my life. Because of this, I know how important it is to acknowledge when things are getting too stressful and make an extra effort to relax. Since a busy schedule may be the cause of the stress, do not worry about finding time to relax. You do not have to set aside a day to work out some of the stress in your system, or even an hour. Sometimes all you need is five minutes.

A couple of ways you can relax your mind and body when you are stressed is to simply breathe. Take a couple of deep breaths and think of releasing all the stress from every part of your body as you exhale. Some other tips and tricks can depend on what you enjoy doing as an individual. If you enjoy reading, try to schedule time to do nothing but read. If you enjoy music, listen to music but separate it from stressful tasks such as homework. Leave the music for relaxing time, if you can, so the music gets associated with a calm feeling. Others may like to meditate, walk, run, take a bath or a variety of other things. The key is to do whatever you feel makes you relax and for that time forget about your worries. If you do not take the time to de-stress, your body can face serious health consequences. Five minutes is all it takes, so take the time and kick your freak-outs to the curb.

Stephanie Carley
Business Administration and Communications Technologies major