First you must recognize stress. Stress symptoms include exhaustion, increase in or loss of appetite, headaches, crying, sleeplessness, excessive sleeping, and sexual dysfunction. Seeking escape through alcohol, drugs, or other compulsive behaviors may indicate stress. You may feel alarm, frustration, or feelings of just not caring. Below are some suggestions for dealing with stress. Look around and see if there is something you can change or control in the situation.
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Handle one thing at a time.
Try to be positive. “The glass is half full rather than half empty.”
Select how you react to things. Lighten up. Go with the flow. This too shall pass.
Reduce the number of events you go to. For example, family events, parties, and dates.
Avoid extreme reactions. Why hate when you can dislike? Why feel depressed when you can feel sad or disappointed?
Set realistic goals for yourself.
Work off the stress with physical activity.
Do something for others. Get your mind off your problems.
Talk to a good friend about what is bothering you. Sometimes it reduces the pressure and somebody else may give you an idea you hadn’t thought of.
Learn what relaxes you and do that.
If you are still feeling stress after doing some of the above suggestions, visit with a LPC counselor.
Wellness Services provides short term counseling and connection to community resources for all currently enrolled TCC students. With the exception of situations that may threaten a student's safety or the safety of others, visits to Wellness Services are confidential and are not tied to academic records. Counseling services are available college wide.
To learn more about services or to set up an appointment, please contact: wellness@tulsacc.edu
