Let it go 101: tips for less stress

By Morgan Steger
The Collegian

An internship, part time job, campus club involvement and 18-unit class load are bound to keep Fresno State junior Adam Horn feverishly busy this semester.

So, how does Horn balance his obligations and manage stress?

“Usually I just take a minute or two to say, ‘Whoa, calm down, stop,’” the political science major said.

Making like Horn and taking a few brief mental time-outs a day can be enough to successfully manage stress, said John Fu, a counselor at Fresno State’s Student Health Center.

College students, and everyone else for that matter, experience feelings of stress and anxiety that come with life’s never-ending to-do list, he said.

So what stresses Fresno State students out?

The list includes a perceived lack of time and money, adapting to college life, academic demands and relationships with roommates, professors, family, friends and romantic partners, Fu said.

Fu, who helps students work out stress through relaxation, meditation and yoga in weekly group sessions at the health center, said dealing with stress begins with admitting that you’re feeling frazzled and taking a moment to quiet your mind.

“The mind controls us,” he said.

Next focus on a healthy diet, regular exercise, developing a network of social support and penning some much-needed down-time into your planner, Fu said.

Often students put themselves on autopilot and try to check off every item on their to-do list in record time.
Knowing when and where to draw boundaries is crucial.

“This world will not end if you do not finish every item on the to-do list,” Fu said.

Be honest and clear with yourself about how you plan to use the time you have, he said.

That might mean buying a planner and actually blocking out eight hours to sleep, three hours for studying, time for class and relaxation time.

Manage your time by looking at those blocks of time as fixed expenses — time you must pay into your day — and try to keep up with those time obligations that you must fulfill, so there’s time for fun, Fu said.

For more information about managing stress visit the Student Health Center or call 278-2734.

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