Teach your College Students these Stress-Busting Tips
College is inarguably one of the most stressful times in a student’s life. For most, it’s the first time they’re living on their own. College classes are more difficult, the instructors are more demanding and students are required to be more independent. It’s the first stop on the road to adulthood, and it’s a time when students are more likely to experience stress.
Between the social and academic pressures, there is limited time left for our students take care of themselves. As parents, we must help our children help themselves and learn to take care of their bodies and minds. I’ve pulled together some tips that will help you help your college student bust the stress and succeed.
Suggest exercising for at least 20 minutes every day
While the Freshman 15 may be an exaggeration, students gain between 3 and 10 pounds on average during their first year of college. An exercise routine that involves at least 20 minutes/day, 5 days a week will slow down that weight gain and form healthy habits. Exercise is also a clear cut way to blow off steam and reduce stress that comes with a full day of classes. Help your child get those endorphins flowing. Can’t find a sport that he/she wants to participate in? Recommend these fun, short HIIT workouts that don’t require much equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime.
Encourage your student to meditate each night
Research shows that college students who meditate experience:
-
less stress
- less anxiety and/or depression
- faster recovery from stressful situations, and
- lower blood pressure
Your child can experience the benefits of meditation with only 20 minutes per day. Recommend that he/she takes 20 minutes before bed to sit down, close his/her eyes, and just breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Share these guided meditation videos with your child for a perfect beginner’s meditation practice. All he/she will need to do is sit, breathe, and relax.
Propose that your student hosts a yoga break in his/her dorm hall
Resident Advisors are always looking for fun activities they can host for an entire dorm. Everyone’s trying to avoid the Freshman 15 in college, and it’s hard when so many activities are centered around food. Instead of adding to that mix, suggest to your child proposing a Dorm-wide group Yoga session. It’ll be a great way for him/her to bond with dorm mates while releasing stress and stretching out. Suggest these Beginner Yoga videos for your student to choose from -- they’re perfect for people of all different levels.
College is inarguably one of the most stressful times in a student’s life. For most, it’s the first time they’re living on their own. College classes are more difficult, the instructors are more demanding and students are required to be more independent. It’s the first stop on the road to adulthood, and it’s a time when students are more likely to experience stress.
Between the social and academic pressures, there is limited time left for our students take care of themselves. As parents, we must help our children help themselves and learn to take care of their bodies and minds. I’ve pulled together some tips that will help you help your college student bust the stress and succeed.
Suggest exercising for at least 20 minutes every day
While the Freshman 15 may be an exaggeration, students gain between 3 and 10 pounds on average during their first year of college. An exercise routine that involves at least 20 minutes/day, 5 days a week will slow down that weight gain and form healthy habits. Exercise is also a clear cut way to blow off steam and reduce stress that comes with a full day of classes. Help your child get those endorphins flowing. Can’t find a sport that he/she wants to participate in? Recommend these fun, short HIIT workouts that don’t require much equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime.
Encourage your student to meditate each night
Research shows that college students who meditate experience:
-
less stress
- less anxiety and/or depression
- faster recovery from stressful situations, and
- lower blood pressure
Your child can experience the benefits of meditation with only 20 minutes per day. Recommend that he/she takes 20 minutes before bed to sit down, close his/her eyes, and just breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Share these guided meditation videos with your child for a perfect beginner’s meditation practice. All he/she will need to do is sit, breathe, and relax.
Propose that your student hosts a yoga break in his/her dorm hall
Resident Advisors are always looking for fun activities they can host for an entire dorm. Everyone’s trying to avoid the Freshman 15 in college, and it’s hard when so many activities are centered around food. Instead of adding to that mix, suggest to your child proposing a Dorm-wide group Yoga session. It’ll be a great way for him/her to bond with dorm mates while releasing stress and stretching out. Suggest these Beginner Yoga videos for your student to choose from -- they’re perfect for people of all different levels.