Stress Management
Stress can be a major factor in our ability to cope with undergraduate life. It is often thought of in a negative way as something to be avoided, something harmful, but stress cannot always be avoided and its effects are harmful only when it is handled badly. The proper handling of stress improves performance.
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Human Performance Curve
Stress Management
The effective goal of stress management is the effective use of energy by:
- Learning to recognise the symptoms of stress
- Learning skills to control these symptoms
- Practising and using these skills
Practical strategies include:
- Regular exercise which generates endorphins (hormones which reduce stress)
- Time Management
- Reduction in excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption.
- Regular meals
For further advice we recommend you visit Depression Alliance (depressionalliance.org) or for more general psychiatric information Internet Mental Health (mentalhealth.com). We would also recommend an excellent interactive mental health and self-help training package Calipso (calipso.co.uk) for stress.
College offers professional help through the Student Health Service where advice is available through literature or through an appointment with one of the nurses or medical officers.
Student Counselling Service offers professional help through trained Counsellors and organises regular group stress management courses.
Referral to the College Psychiatrists is available where appropriate through referral from one of the medical officers or from the counselling service.