By: Brittany Hogh Audience: College Freshmen

 is the body's reaction to a change both physiologically and psychologically  Everyone reacts differently to stress Stress What is Stress?

 the physical and psychological demands that initiate the stress response within individuals (Hargrove) Stressors

 Changes  A move  New job  Death of family member/friend  Divorce  Relationship problems  School work  Financial issues

 College campus hold many sources of stress for college students  Change in environment for new students  Meeting new people  Balancing school work and social life and possibly a job

 Not all stress is necessarily bad  Eustress motivational stress; moderate level of stress

 Distress a decrease in healthy functioning; occurs under high levels and low levels of stress  Example: Writing a paper the night before it is due and your computer crashes.

 Too little stress can be bad  This can cause an individual to be bored and unmotivated

 Weakened immune system  This can lead to chronic illnesses and disease  Insomnia  Depression  This can lead to suicide or thoughts of it

 Increase in  Heart Rate  Blood Pressure  Breathing rate  Stress hormones (Cortisol & DHEA)  Decrease in neurotransmitters (Melatonin & GABA) Physiological Effects of Stress

 Get enough sleep  Eat Healthy  Exercise  Yoga  Breathing Techniques  Meditation  Keep busy

 Sleep is important in helping to lower stress levels  Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night

 Eating healthy will  Give you more energy  Make your mind and body feel better

 Rowan Rec center is a great place to relieve stress  Classes are offered almost everyday of the week  Intramurals or club sports

 Breathing techniques, postures, strengthening exercises and meditation Hatha yoga is a popular form of yoga.

 Easy and not time consuming  Meditation can be done almost anywhere  Quiet locations are best

The counseling center offers individual and group sessions Great place to talk about and learn how to deal with stress Located in Savitz Hall top floor Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm Walk-in appointments available between 11am- 4pm Phone: Located in Savitz Hall top floor Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm Walk-in appointments available between 11am- 4pm Phone:

 Offers tutoring  Accommodates students with learning disabilities  Extra time in class to take exams  Taking exams in another room Located in Savitz Hall 3 rd floor Suite 304 Hours From 8:30am-4:30pm Open until 7pm Weds. Phone:

 Rowan offers multiple fun activities during finals week to help relieve stress during finals  The library offers extended hours & free coffee

DONTDO  Procrastinate  Drink to relieve stress  Take drugs to relieve stress  Seek help at the counseling center  Exercise

 Zofi Y, Meltzer S. Manage your stress before it manages you. Long-Term Living: For The Continuing Care Professional [serial online]. June 2009;58(6): Available from: CINAHL with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 19,  All the right moves for stress relief. Consumer Reports [serial online]. February 2000;65(2): Available from: CINAHL with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 19,  Li A, Goldsmith C. The Effects of Yoga on Anxiety and Stress. Alternative Medicine Review [serial online]. March 2012;17(1): Available from: CINAHL with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 19, 2012.