Stress Management: Part of the imatter series Samantha DiFalco Resident Director Western Connecticut State University Featured Institution

Note from editor The imatter series was developed at Western Connecticut State University by Samantha DiFalco, Resident Director, to help students make better choices during their college experience. The Stress Management segment of the imatter series can be used as a program, bulletin board, or handout for students.

Ways to manage your stress Money - Watch your credit and don’t spend more than you have. Money is a huge stressor now, and can be even more so if you accumulate big debt. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs - Make healthy choices in your use of these products. Misusing them can add LOADs of stress to your life, and impact your overall health. Manage your time - If it feels like you just can’t get everything done, take a minute to plan, break your tasks down, cross off the things you’ve done, and stop procrastinating! Healthy Relationships - W ork to keep your relationships healthy, or if they’re not going so well, seek help to find out what you can do.

Ways to manage your stress Sleep - Make sure to get enough, and to get it regularly. One good night a week isn’t enough! Relax - Use a relaxation technique that works for you (yoga, deep breathing, calm music) and use it! Attitude - How you think about things can make all the difference! Keep you mind focused on the positive. Healthy Eating - Good nutrition and healthy eating help you through today’s stress, and keep you healthier in the long run. Eat good foods, and eat regularly. Physical Activity - Just 20 minutes of walking a day can give you more energy, improve your sleep, sharpen your mental productivity, and increase your self- confidence.

Watch your credit and don’t spend more than you have. Money is a huge stressor now, and can be even more so if you accumulate big debt.

Make healthy choices in your use of these products. Misusing them can add LOADs of stress to your life, and impact your overall health.

If it feels like you just can’t get everything done, take a minute to plan, break your tasks down, cross off the things you’ve done, and stop procrastinating!

Work to keep your relationships healthy, or if they’re not going so well, seek help to find out what you can do.

Make sure to get enough, and to get it regularly. One good night a week isn’t enough!

Find a relaxation technique that works for you (yoga, deep breathing, calm music) and use it!

How you think about things can make all the difference! Keep you mind focused on the positive.

Good nutrition and healthy eating help you through today’s stress, and keep you healthier in the long run. Eat good foods, and eat regularly.

Just 20 minutes of walking a day can give you more energy, improve your sleep, sharpen your mental productivity, and increase your self-confidence.