University life has its stresses, and it is important that you try to maintain a balance between academic pressures and your wellbeing. If you are experiencing any difficulties which are causing you stress or anxiety, whether they are personal or academic, the Student Wellbeing and Disability Support team can support you.
Managing stress - Why is it important?
A certain level of stress is normal but sometimes this can get out of hand and escalate to a point at which it becomes hard to manage. Fortunately, there are now many resources and a Student Support Centre to help you manage your stress and maintain your wellbeing. There is also Student Space covering issues such as study stress, finance, and accommodation.
What do I need to know?
Here are a few common sources of stress:
- Excessive workload
- Poor diet
- Lack of support
- Health issues
- Conflicting demands
- Family worries
So how can you manage your stress level?
Professor Cary Cooper, an occupational health expert at the University of Lancaster, has many suggestions via the NHS website.
- Be active – This will help reduce some of the emotional intensity of what you are feeling, clear your thoughts, and may change your perspective on the problem. Take a walk outside in the fresh air, or get some other form of exercise, as this energises you. Nature is well-known to restore feelings of wellbeing.
- Take control – There is a solution to any problem. The feeling of lack of control can escalate stress so the act of taking control is empowering. Track your stressors by noting down what triggers your stress and how you responded.
- Talk to your supervisor – Together, work on an effective plan to help you manage your work and deal with the stressors you have identified in 2. They want you to succeed as well.
- Connect with people – Lean on your support network. Colleagues, friends and family can all help you to see things in a different way and share the problem. The activities we do with friends also help us relax. Talking it through with a friend will also help you to find solutions to your problems.
- Have some 'me' time – Spend more time socialising, relaxing or exercising to recharge. Set aside time deliberately in your diary for this and make sure you take that break! Come back to your work feeling reinvigorated and positive.
- Develop healthy responses – avoid unhealthy habits and don't rely on alcohol, caffeine or smoking as methods of coping. They may provide temporary relief but in the long run cause other problems.
- Work smarter – leave the least important tasks to the end. Manage your priorities and establish boundaries and rules, such as not looking at work emails in the evening.
- Be positive – At the end of each day, write down three things that went well, or for which you are grateful.
Where can I find out more?
There is a lot of useful information on the Cranfield intranet pages including Your wellbeing and Mental health.
