There are many factors that contribute to stress levels, not only for myself, but for the many college students attending school. Reflecting back on the first month of the semester, I noticed that I have been getting stressed out more than usual. I’m looking forward to starting off October with more practical ways to deal with stress, and my main goal of the month which is to focus on having more confidence in myself. I want to emphasize that I want to find ways not to be so hard on myself and to find things throughout the day that makes me happy and that reminds me that there are better days to come, even on my worst. While reading chapter 3, I felt as though I was able to understand what influences my own individual stress. Three factors that stood out to me included:
Characteristics of the stressor: Are you able to control stress? Does this stress occur often?
Biological factors: age and gender
Past experiences or fears: Events that have happened to you. Were there consequences, and how did you respond?
Learning about these factors that influence how we respond to these stressors was important for me to understand why I get stressed during some situations. Acknowledging these factors, we are better able to understand how we can manage our stress, and how we can prevent these stressors from causing long-term health problems down the line.
(Donatelle, 2019, p. 50)
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I catch myself feeling stressed, whether that be from classes, tests, and making sure I have time to talk to my friends and family. All of those factors have made me feel overwhelmed. While reading the chapter, I learned that there are techniques one can practice in order to reduce stress. The practices that stuck out to me the most, which I want to practice more in depth include:
Getting enough sleep: Reaching the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep not only allows you to be more productive, but it also allows you to cope with the many stressors in one’s life.
Eating healthfully: Having a balanced, healthy diet will improve the stamina an individual needs in order to push you towards accomplishing ways to deal with problems in a non-stressed approach.
Regular exercise: Individuals are intended to utilize physical activity; to “burn off” stress hormones. These hormones are directed towards their intended metabolic function and are used to fight off stress by increasing endorphins in the body.
(Donatelle, 2019, p. 65)
Lastly, while reading this chapter, I found it interesting to learn about the effects of stress on the body. Looking at the effects that stress has on the body, it is important to take action on ways to control stress. If stress isn’t controlled, individuals are at risk for some health issues: Some of these health issues include:
Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic stress has been shown to cause high blood pressure, heart rate problems, and atherosclerosis.
Hair Loss: Telogen effluvium is the most common type of hair loss associated with stress. Overtime, a person’s hair begins to fall out.
Weight Gain: With stress levels increased, cortisol levels found in the bloodstream, increase a person’s hunger and has been seen to activate fat-storing enzymes.
(Donatelle, 2019, p. 56)
My Health Aspect Goal:
While working on my health aspect, I have been using some of these practices to destress. But, I feel like I haven’t been able to fully accomplish these practices throughout the week. I want to point out that I do not get enough sleep. As the practices suggests, we should be getting around 7-8 hours of sleep, which is difficult for anyone to obtain. Especially with college students, like myself. I try to be in bed by eleven, but find myself not sleeping until twelve, or even one in the morning. This is not at all great for my health because I have to be at work by 7:15am, and if I don’t get enough sleep, I am left feeling groggy and unable to have a productive day. I am an avid coffee drinker, but I try not to have more than two cups of coffee. I’ve mentioned previously that the dining halls do not always have the best food, where some days I end up skipping a meal. I want to eat more healthfully, which will in turn improve my stamina to accomplish my goals for the day. Lately, assignments and tests have been making me feel stressed, but taking walks and going on runs helps me clear my mind, while also feeling accomplished that I took time out of my busy day to focus on not only the physical aspects of what it means to be healthy, but also mentally.
Not only have I been running to reach my health aspect goal, but it was also a good way to destress on a Friday afternoon.
Health Aspect 