Stressed? We can help.

A guide by Student Success

What does stress look like?

Stress can show itself in many different ways. If you are stressed, you may feel:

● Anxious● Overwhelmed● Faster heart rate and breath● Exhausted by small tasks● Panicky

Stress, when left undealt with, can have serious effects on the body, including:

1. Chronic pain 2. Panic attacks3. Increased risk for heart

attack or stroke4. Ulcers5. Mental illnesses such as

anxiety and depression

DID YOU KNOW?

1 in 5 kids in Ontario suffer from mental illness?

But how do we cope with it?

These are some of many approaches for dealing with stress that we will talk about.

➔ MindfulnessA different perspective on life.

➔ Self-CareYou deserve it.

➔ PhysicalHow your physical health affects your mental health

MindfulnessWhat s tNOUN

a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

How are you going to deal with stress?

Tip

It’s simple!.

Using Mindfulness!

Being aware of your emotions makes managing stress so much easier to do.

Being aware of what anxiety feels like is a good warning sign

that stress is becoming too much!

Practicing mindfulness sounds easy!

But where do you start?

Mindfulness can be practiced through meditation.

This can vary in appearance! From laying on your bed with music on, to

the typical image of zen, to colouring books!

Tip

Find a way that works for you specifically! Different things work better for different people.

Counseling

Hearing other people’s advice, or even just hearing yourself describe the problem helps a lot!

Don’t be afraid to reach out to people.

Tip

Ignore the stigma around seeking help, and stamp out stigma wherever you see it!

Story for illustration purposes only

Mindfulness could also mean taking a break from social media.

If stress is triggered by social conflicts, it is okay to spend a few days Facebook-free!.

Self-care

noun

Care of the self, self-love, knowledge of one’s own worth

Self-Care is essential for your overall wellbeing, and an easy way to minimize stress in your life.

When stress is abundant,

Your mental health suffers.

To practice mental-wellness, practice self care.

Self-care is just that:Taking care of yourself. It can be as necessary as showering or as elaborate as treating yourself to a nice dinner.

DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?TIP:

Set up reminders on your phone for times in the day to practice self-care!

Examples of self care➔ Time

Schedule at least 30 minutes a day for doing something you love. Escaping the stress, even for half an hour, will reduce it!

➔ EnergyMake the effort to take proper care of your physical and mental wellbeing.

PHYSICAL WELLBEING

This can range from what you put in your body to what you do with it..

“WALK IT OFF” Tip

If your head is cluttered and you don’t know where to start, try going for a short walk!

Physical Wellbeing Includes:

➔ ExerciseWalk it off!

➔ NutritionYou are what you eat!

➔ HygieneWhen you’re stressed, you may forget self-care such as showering and brushing your teeth.

Make sure to take proper care of your personal hygiene.

Make sure you are getting 30 minutes of exercise three times a week to feel your best.

Be sure to fill your body with all the vital nutrients from healthy foods.

SMARTPHONE APPS

Self-care reminders!

Guided meditation

Good luck!We hope you use these tips to manage your stress more efficiently!

Remember: you are never alone.

For more about coping with stress, check out Student Success for resources!