Make Stress Work for You
Doable steps to manage online learning stress
Goal: Help students understand stress better and how it affects their life
Stress is an everyday fact of life. We sail through them in every situation that we’re in. Even the most well-managed life gets confronted with stress. Stress isn’t all the way bad because it can be an effective motivator for you to do better. Whether your stress results from major life changes or the cumulative effect of minor daily annoyances, how you respond to these events determines the impact of stress on your life.
Since last year, the education system has been forced to take quick strides towards a technology-bound system. Initially, you were probably thrilled with the convenience of learning at home. Yet, no one expected or prepared that you would be cooped up in your homes for most of the year. Today, you might have gotten used to doing things the pandemic way. You have tolerated and made a lot of excuses for your practices because you are at the comfort of your home. But your home environment became the place for almost everything you need to do.
Each stressor from every activity can haunt you all at once. There is no escape. You have to manage the stressors before they stack up over another—Let’s start with identifying the source of your stressors from online classes. So you can manage them effectively to achieve a positive outcome.
Sources of Stress
- Environmental. It could be a noise you don’t have any control over; your area doesn’t have the best lighting; you have a hand-me-down, laggy device, and unstable service.
- Social. Your task or project needs to meet deadlines, you have a different schedule with your friends, and it causes a lack of communication; since it is a pandemic, you are bombarded with financial problems.
- Physiological. Your lack of exercise, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and aging. In addition to environmental and social stress symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, upset stomachs, anxiety, or depression
- Psychological. How you perceive your current situation will either relax or stress you. For example, if your teacher looks satisfied with your project, then you can relax. Compared to a teacher that will frown upon seeing your work which will result in stressing out.
Now that you can identify the source of your stress, you are more likely to know how to deal with it. Each of us has different ways of preventing and coping with stress. Stress on something gets things done better; distress over things is a dark pit you don’t want to be buried in.
Let us start with preventive measures first.
Prevention
- Before cramming into starting the task and trying to finish it, plan how you will do it..
Again know your why and think of a plan.
- Pace yourself to avoid getting overwhelmed and frustrated. Learning is not a marathon.
Chunk your topics and set your goals. You’ll get it done.
- Take time to appreciate your efforts and give yourself time to relax and get refreshed.
- Acknowledge that there are things you can change and things that you can’t; learn to know the difference. You can choose which change you’re going to take on first.
- Try the stress-management and relaxation techniques below.
Coping with Stress
Find ways to get your concerns addressed, even if it means asking for help. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you deem you need one. Do not wait for your frustrations to pile up. It is easier to reach out for a helping hand when you are not down deep under.
Stay social. Make use of technology for purposes other than work and study. Use technology to connect with friends and family for fun virtual activities. A smile on your face is priceless.
Exercise. No matter how busy you get and how demanding your work is, exercise creates a better state for your mind and body to work. It is also a suggested practice in helping your organizational skills. A ten minute work- out when consistently done allows your mind to get ready for all in a day’s work.
Eat well. Healthy and nutritious food can help counter the impact of stress since stress hormones take a toll on our body. Avoid overeating as it may lead to more stress.
Take breaks and breathe. Exhale to reduce stress. Get away from your computer at regular intervals.A three-five minute break can do wonders. Have a quick stretch to release any tension build-up that limits your full potential. At the same time breathing exercises help a great deal.
You can practice various types of breathing exercises, such as 4-7-8 or the long exhale technique. It is recommended to do it twice daily for 20 minutes.
Get enough sleep. It might be really persuasive to binge watch your favorite show, stay up late for a party or for a conversation that you can’t let go. But sleep is one of the most important aspects of learning and life in general. Sleep makes sure you retain important ideas. It helps you start with a great mood that sets off a more productive day.
Get organized. Your organizational skills will make life easier and bearable in moments when you have a lot to handle . Make sure you build a new system for tracking assignments, due dates, and all other obligations. Plan your day at night before going to bed. In the morning give yourself five seconds before starting anything you have planned on doing. Cut bigger tasks in chunks that fit your time frame. We can not emphasize how important it is to chunk your topics and study time for improved retention and focus.
Take yourself on a date. Reward yourself. Do not let hard work go unnoticed. It may be as simple as visiting your favorite place or cooking your favorite food. It is satisfying that you enjoy things in life even without any company. You have time to slow down and appreciate your efforts. It is a bonus that you get to internalize valuable ideas you have learned. It helps you balance your life and freshen up your drive to improve yourself.
Schedule a Dump and Vent your Frustrations out. Talk to a friend you trust the most. Sometimes those stressors need to be let out and heard. And a good listener of a friend will know he or she doesn’t have to do anything but just sit there with you and hear you out. An immediate calmness will take over your storm and you can move forward again.
Connect with your instructors regularly. Any school related pressure should be addressed with an expert’s advice. Seek out recommendations from your instructor. Global College values your mental health as they are well aware of the impact it makes to your future. We are
dedicated to providing you the best learning experience that will contribute to a greater outcome for you.
Before you even need to cope with stress it is best that you know your trigger points like the back of your hand to prevent stress from weighing down your daily schedule. But since we are indeed human beings we are susceptible in making shortcomings hence Global Colleges also have provided you doable and effective ways in dealing with them. Acknowledgement leads to enlightenment.
Remember, your perception of stress holds a great power on how it will affect your life. For every stress that is perceived positively sharpens your skills and will eventually bring forth positive outcomes. And for every distressing thought that haunts you is a result of you, perceiving it as such when it could have been a fuel for motivation. It has then turned to be a burden you drag around that slows down your journey. So for you, which perception of STRESS is it going to be? You choose.
Davis, M., Eshelman, E., & Mckay, M. (2008).The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
