{"509211":{"#nid":"509211","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Managing Mid-Semester Stress","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe mid-point of the spring semester can feel like a particularly stressful time. If your student is feeling overwhelmed, they are far from alone. During this busy time, it\u2019s important that students prioritize self-care so that they feel mentally and physically equipped to thrive at Georgia Tech. Here are some ideas for effective stress management:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERemember that stress isn\u2019t all bad. Without some degree of stress, we wouldn\u2019t feel motivated to do our work. An optimal amount of stress feels energizing, motivating, and helps us focus on the task at hand.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EToo much stress feels overwhelming. Over-stress can show up physically (e.g., rapid heart rate \u0026amp; high blood pressure, muscle tension, sweating, digestive issues, headaches, fatigue, increased frequency of colds and infections); emotionally (anxiety, irritability, emotional outbursts, restlessness, concentration difficulties, forgetfulness, pessimism); and behaviorally (avoidance, social withdrawal, conflict, sleeping problems, loss of appetite, increased use of substances).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf any of the signs of over-stress are present, regard them as important information that something needs to change. Try:\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReaching out for social support\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConsulting with an expert in stress management, like a counselor at the Counseling Center\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAttending to The Big 3: sleep, diet, exercise.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBuilding in fun \u2013 but not in a way that facilitates procrastination.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESpeaking of procrastination, the avoidance of stressors is a common response to stress \u2013 that tends to cause more stress. Here are some suggestions for overcoming procrastination:\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExcuse: \u201cI can\u2019t get motivated.\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAction comes first, motivation follows. Plan to give yourself a reward for performing the behavior you intend. When all else fails, tell yourself to just \u201cdo just 10 minutes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExcuse: \u201cIt seems overwhelming. \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003EI don\u2019t know where to start.\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake an outline and break it down into smaller tasks. Ask yourself: \u201cWhat\u2019s the first step?\u201d Identify starter tasks (and combine with the \u201c10 minute\u201d strategy.) Remember that perfect is the enemy of the good \u2013 and the finished.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExcuse: \u201cI keep engaging in avoidance and distractions.\u201d \u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEliminate distractions and time wasters. Use your distractions (e.g., social media) as time-limited rewards. Tackle the most difficult part first.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf these strategies aren\u2019t enough, remember that the Counseling Center is here to help. We provide Life Skills workshops (full listing of events is available on the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/counseling.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ECounseling Center\u0027s website\u003C\/a\u003E)\u0026nbsp;and other counseling services designed to support students through stressful times. Please visit counseling.gatech.edu for additional information about our programs and services.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Dr. Erin English, Georgia Tech Counseling Center"}],"field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The mid-point of the spring semester can feel like a particularly stressful time. Here are some ideas for effective stress management."}],"uid":"27244","created_gmt":"2016-03-04 08:28:08","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:20:57","author":"Sara Warner","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2016-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDr. Erin English\u003Cbr \/\u003ECounseling Center\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["erin.english@studentlife.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}