Unfortunately, smooth sailing didn't follow me into my freshman year at university. Like many students in my cohort, I felt like I was drowning from day one. I had a long commute to a school with no friends in my program, and felt overwhelmed by increasing academic pressures. It wasn't long before I found myself in a doctor's office, talking about the symptoms of a panic attack.
University students are under a lot of stress. Their stressors range from social challenges to financial strain, and their consequences are grim. Stress in university students has been linked to an increasing number of mental health concerns that may account for more students turning to counselors' and therapists' offices. Issues like depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts have the potential to plague students who are having a hard time coping with university life.
In recent years, campuses have increased the mental health services available to students due to rising demand. Among these services (such as crisis counseling and drop-in therapy) are intervention programs that aim to help students manage stress and anxiety. Not all of the programs are alike, with some offering techniques often seen in therapy, while others promote meditation practices.
Some of these programs focus on mindfulness, which can be said to be intentional relaxation. The purpose of mindfulness is to be fully aware of the present moment, without being swept away by it. It involves tuning in to what we are thinking and feeling without indulging in those passing thoughts or feelings. Some authors suggest that cultivating this mindful presence can help us disengage from negative thinking habits like ruminating over something that upset us.
"The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes."
- mindful.org
Relaxation and mindfulness based interventions may help students feel less anxious. Recent research suggests that mindfulness can improve a person's self-awareness and ability to regulate their own mood. For students, mindfulness can help them feel calmer in the face of their many stresses. Adopting a long-term mindfulness practice may also increase overall feelings of well-being, which can help protect against some mental health concerns. This is especially important for students, since stress and anxiety can be linked with poor sleep, substance abuse, and dropping out.
In addition to attending mindfulness workshops through counseling services at universities, students should set up their own mindfulness practice. While a 6-week workshop may lead to increased feelings of well-being, long-term practice can help students benefit through better resilience and positivity. Meditation apps like Headspace or Insight Timer offer guided meditation and mindfulness courses, while sites like mindful.org host many articles on the topic.
Through intervention programs and mindfulness practices, students can learn to cope with the stresses and anxieties of university. By investing in their well-being, students can give themselves a buffer against the negatives associated with adjusting to university, enjoying the time to solidify their identities, values, and attitudes. In being mindful, students can finally feel like they're keeping their heads above the water.
Yusufov, M., Nicoloro-SantaBarbara, J., Grey, N. E., Moyer, A., & Lobel, M. (2018). Meta-analytic evaluation of stress reduction interventions for undergraduate and graduate students. International Journal of Stress Management, doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy1.lib.uwo.ca/10.1037/str0000099
No comments:
Post a Comment