As a college student you have likely experienced stress. There are many potential stressors for college students, including tests and quizzes, financial difficulties, and relationship issues. During college stress can become so strong you become unable to think clearly.

While you might be able to postpone some activities, there are other activities that you must complete immediately. If you are unable to think clearly during a test or quiz you may not be able to recall the information you have learned; therefore scoring a much lower than you would otherwise.

One way to overcome stress and allow yourself to do your best, is to practice stress relief techniques. Try some of the techniques below to discover what work best for you.

Deep Breathing Technique
Steps:

1. Begin in a comfortable position
   
2. Close your eyes
   
3. Inhale a deep breath, then slowly count to five
   
4. Exhale the breath, then slowly count to five
   
5. Pause, then count to two
   
6. Repeat the exercise until you feel relaxed

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique
Steps:

1. Begin in a comfortable position
   
2. Close your eyes
   
3. Curl your toes tightly and keep them curled counting to five
   
4. Release your toes and relax
   
5. Contract the muscles in your legs and keep them contracted counting to five
   
6. Release your leg muscle contraction and relax
   
7. Work your way up through each muscle group in your body until you have relaxed each group

Sunshine Technique
Steps:

1. Begin in a comfortable position
   
2. Close your eyes
   
3. Visualize being out in warm sunshine
   
4. Feel warm sunshine on each muscle group in your body
   
5. Let the warmth of the sunshine melt away the tension in each muscle group

Visualized Vacation Technique
Steps:

1. Begin in a comfortable position
   
2. Close your eyes
   
3. Remember your favorite, most relaxing location
   
4. Imagine you are there
   
5. Pay attention to the details you imagine. What do you see? What sounds do you hear? What scents do you smell?

Other Quick Stress Relievers

• Listen to your favorite music. Pay attention to the music and let yourself forget about the outside world
  
• Count your breaths while breathing normally
  
• Hug a friend
  
• Ask a friend for a quick neck and shoulder massage
  
• Give yourself a quick massage
  
• Pet an animal
  
• Watch fish in an aquarium
  
• Take a short walk
  
• Stretch your muscles
  
• Look at a picture of yourself having fun and remember the event

Use these or other stress relieving techniques to help you overcome some of the stressors you experience as a college student. It is important to find stress relief techniques that work for you. Use them during times when need to think clearly but you are feeling too stressed to be able to do so.