For most students, college is the first time that they will be living on their own.
For most students, college is the first time that they will be living on their own. While it’s an exciting time, stress and anxiety are abound for many feeling the pressure of growing up.
“Anxiety is a normal part of life and extremely common when someone is starting something new in their life or facing a life transition like beginning college,” said Erika Gray, outreach coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services, in an email. “For many, this is the first time they will have lived independently away from the support network of family, friends and familiar environments.”
According to Gray, anxiety is “the feeling one feels when the brain’s alarm system believes there is threat or danger.” Anxiety symptoms can include rapid breathing, increased heart rate, feeling weak and tired, sweating, trouble concentrating and feeling more emotional than usual.
There are many ways to combat these feelings including talking to friends, avoiding stimulants or mood altering substances and working out or taking a fitness class such as yoga, cycling, kickboxing, zumba and bootcamp — all offered at Ping Center.
“Yoga would be the big one that helps with stress and anxiety,” said Brianne Garretson, group fitness manager at Ping and a senior communication sciences and disorders major.
“(Group fitness) gives anyone a chance to come in and forget about the worries of school, work or whatever else is going on in their lives. It gives them an hour to let loose or relax,” she said. “I think that a lot of people that come to classes come to get that hour where they don’t have to think about school or work.”
Group fitness classes are for students of various athletic abilities, as many of them are geared more toward beginners.
Classes also help promote a healthier lifestyle, which in turn can reduce stress. This includes eating healthier and having a higher energy level, which both relate to stress and anxiety.
For some students, talking to a professional could provide them with more help.
“If a student finds that their anxiety is becoming more than they feel they can manage on their own, I would recommend dropping in to chat with someone at Counseling and Psychological Services about what they are feeling,” Gray said. “Maybe a student would only need a session or two to start feeling a little more grounded.”
The center is located on the third floor of Hudson Health Center on North Green at the top of Jeff Hill, and is open for appointment 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Drop in hours without an appointment are 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Counseling and Psychological Services also runs a program, Counselors in Residence, operating out of Jefferson Hall on East Green, Sunday through Friday from 5-10 p.m.
However, students can seek support from the office at all hours of the day by calling the main number of the center at 740-593-1616.
@kruseco
sk139011@ohio.edu
