Hints to keep your cool — and your sanity

Stress is becoming more common among college students and particularly in first-year students, according to a recent study done by UCLA.

More than 30 percent of first year students said they are frequently overwhelmed, which is up from 16 percent in 1985.

Although it is often viewed as normal, stress can lead to depression, anger, anxiety and frustration.

Common student remedies such as imbibing huge amounts of caffeine or purging on chocolate will not help with stress, experts say.

Mental Health Services has compiled some effective ways of dealing with stress.

• Maintain nutritional needs and exercise regularly. Eating a balanced diet and getting sufficient rest helps achieve a better outlook on life.

• Employ constructive time management procedures. Scheduling in the present for future activities helps us to stay on top of work and play.

• Learn and use the relaxation response. Having relaxed responses even in stressful situations promotes calmness and control.

• Be progressive in activities. Be careful not to get into a rut.

• Expand your awareness of the stress-precipitating situation. Get a more reasonable and realistic perspective by asking yourself, “What is the worst thing that could really happen if—?”

• Spend time alone. Use the time for reflection, recreation or for just doing nothing.

• Change your usual routine. Try something new; variation of usual daily procedures stimulates and refreshes us.

— Liddy Serio