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Summer Break Stress
It's officially the summer season and scorching hot under the sun’s blazing heat. Some of us might feel distant from our friends and peers since it's the summer break and many would be busy to even reach out to them. This break is the best time to try out new things and make a change to ourselves to feel good about it.
Stress over the Break? Most of us become overloaded with stress, especially due to holiday homework, summer internships or the need to do something productive. When this happens, it can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.
When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This “fight, flight, or freeze” response includes faster heart and breathing rate, increased blood to muscles of arms and legs, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.
The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. When we decide that a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This “relaxation response” includes decreased heart and breathing rates and a sense of well-being.
Time to turn it Around. Over the break, we can find and try out new routines to help cope with stress
Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes,
Get enough sleep and have a good sleep routine - no school or exams to worry about so how about getting the sleep we craved!?
Change your caffeine intake and choose fruit juices to help keep yourself healthy - we all know about the glow-up over the summer!
Learn relaxation exercises - abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques,
Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite, firm, and not overly aggressive or passive ways: "I feel angry when you yell at me.” "Please stop yelling,”
Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks - It is okay to be 'unproductive' at times,
Decrease negative self-talk: challenge negative thoughts - with alternative, neutral, or positive thoughts. "My life will never get better” can be transformed into "I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help.”
Learn to feel good about what you are doing and reward yourself each time you do a good job rather than demanding perfection from yourself,
Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress,
Talk to someone who helps you cope in a positive way.
Source
Written by: Rishitha AK
Edited by: Ananya Narayan
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