Stress… there is no avoiding it. Whether it’s positive stress or negative stress, we are all going to have to deal with it at one point or another. The best way to handle stress is to realize that it will pass and it is really not all that bad if you know how to handle it.

Since it is my senior year and I am currently deciding my future while dealing with the regular stressors in my life, I have come to realize two important aspects of managing stress. First and foremost, stay positive! It may be hard to stay upbeat when you have a lot on your shoulders, but I guarantee you will be able to handle a lot more and be more efficient if you stay positive. Often when I’m stressed I can tell by the kind of mood I’m in. When I feel I’m not in the best mood I’ll try to change it. For me spending sometime outdoors or exercising gives me that boost I need. This may sound cheesy, but I have even put up a smiley face post-it on my door before leaving my house for a long, stressful day. When I came home I saw it and it really did put a smile on my face.

Almost as important as staying positive is realizing that you don’t have to deal with your stress all alone. Like I said, often you can tell someone is stressed by the kind of mood their in; my friends will catch on and ask me if I want to talk about it. I find that talking with my friends and family about what is stressing me out helps a great deal; sometimes just hearing it out loud helps you resolve a huge chunk of your stress. Everyone deals with stress, so talking to someone who has been through it can help too. If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your friends or family, remember you can always talk to a PAL. Please come to office hours if you need someone to talk to.

For more detailed tips on stress management, check out my previous blog called “Feeling Stressed.”