Valkyrie Spring 2018 - Issue 3

Let' s Talk About Stress Baby
Story by Noah Howie and Rosie Powers, Health & Fitness Editor and Asst. Editor
College is stressful, am I right? I can’t
tell you how many times I’ve heard my
hall mates talk about how many assignments
they have due the next day. As students, most
of us are living away from home for the first
time, eating food that tastes nothing like your
mothers, and living with a stranger, so things
can get stressful. Stress seems to just be a fundamental
part of college life, and that sucks.
But don’t worry, it’s okay to have some stress
in your life. However, you want to watch out
for stress levels that get too high. Whether
this was your first year at college, or your last,
Exercise
• Creates endorphins which triggers a positive feeling in
the body
• Running is a great way to pump some endorphins into
your mind and give you that boost you need.
• Try biking around Berry’s campus, we don’t have
27,000 acres for nothing. If you don’t have your own
bike, ask to borrrow a friends.
• Go to the gym, and destroy that stress with a workout.
Sometimes you’ll find that stress pushes you to work
harder.
I’m sure at some point you’ve felt so stressed
that you just don’t know what to do. Learning
how to manage that stress can help improve
your college experience dramatically. We’ve
gone ahead and drafted up some ways that you
can try to lessen your stress and feel a little
happier. So, do us a favor and kick back, try to
relax a bit, and read up on how you can drop
those stress levels.
Laugh and smile
• Stress creates tension which can be seen in faces.
Laughing and smiling can help relieve that tension. I
don’t know about you but I’d rather have happy lines
than stress lines.
• Take a break and watch an uplifting funny movie. If
you don’t have the time, try taking a few minutes to
watch a funny episode from your favorite TV show, I
prefer “Dinner Party” from the Office, or a funny cat
video on Youtube.
Do Something You Like
• The common answer is that we don’t have time
to do anything and are too busy, but doing something
that is enjoyable will give you a break and
relieve stress for a while.
• Read a good book, whether it be one you’ve read
a million times or that two dollar clearance buy.
Try it out and let your mind get immersed into
another world.
• Listen to some music, like the newest album that
just dropped or a throwback to Mozart. Music
can mut you mind at ease as you listen to some of
your favorite tunes.
• Play your favorite sport, as long as its not what’s
stressing you out. Why not play a round of Dana
Course? Or get some friends together and hit the
volleyball court. Just like excercising, sports can
give you that positive feeling you need.
Write about it
• Writing about what is bothering you can help
you figure out what exactly is stressing you out,
whether it be friends, classes, or sports teams. I
love to write when I feel stressed, which is probably
why I have this job.
• Start a journal to help track your stress levels,
and help you notice a pattern of stress.
• You can also try writing a story with fictional
characters if you want to be a little more creative.
Transfering that stress into a story can
lead to some interesting plot lines.
Embrace Nature
• Getting away from the business of everyday life
is rejuvenating and nature helps us unplug and
reset.
• Go on a picnic with some friends, or grab your
significant other for a romantic sunset picnic on
Mountain Campus. Food, friends, and nature can
do nothing but ease the mind.
• Go for a hike literally anywhere on campus. There
are multiple hiking trails to explore and 27,000
acres to wander through. Just do us a favor and
dont get lost.
• Go camping after a hard week of classes. Pack
your tent or hammock, grab some friends, and set
up under the beautiful Georgia night sky. Take
some time to engage in deep conversation under
the glow of the stars and moon.
Talk about it
• It’s not good to keep stress boddled up inside, so
use your peers and other resources on campus.
Talking about stress helps to make the body feel
better.
• Confide in a friend or family member, they’re
almost always willing to help and will provide a
way for you to let out your stress.
• Use the campus resources like the free counseling
we have. You should think you have to be on the
verge of breaking down just to go. The people at
the counseling center are trained to help, and they
can give some really great tips.
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