By Beds SU
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Stress is not a word we associate as being a good thing, however, we all experience stress. It's normal and experiencing it at times can actually motivate and encourage us to complete tasks and perform at our best (think of a job interview or revising for an exam, for example).
We may experience stress for all sorts of reasons: personal life circumstances, relationships, work, studies, getting the kids to school on time in the morning... the list goes on.
Although it is normal, if we experience stress too much or for prolonged periods of time it can begin to affect us mentally, emotionally, physically and in terms of our behaviour.
There are some things in life we cannot change to stop us feeling stressed, however if we concentrate on what we can do, we can learn to take small steps and actions to manage our stress levels and seek help if we need.
The Beds SU Advice service wants to help raise awareness of the importance of stress management and we’ve put together some advice, tips and resources of support.
Tips for stress management:
Recognise when you are stressed - It may sound obvious but one of the most helpful steps in stress management is recognising and understanding when you are feeling stressed and what is causing it. Our body often lets us know when we are not feeling great, so we recommend that you stop to understand and recognise any physical, emotional, thoughts or behaviours that are signalling you that you are not okay.
For example, do you keep getting headaches or feeling unwell, do you have racing thoughts, feel hopeless, skip meals or are you smoking more? We all have signs to look out for; once you recognise feeling stressed, you can reflect on what may be causing this.
Healthy habits - Eating a balanced diet of healthy food, staying hydrated, avoiding too much caffeine, moving and exercising more, getting enough sleep.... Yes, we hear this all the time but all these important things contribute to your physical and mental wellbeing, making you feel at your best and more resilient to dealing with those life issues that crop up.
Manage your time - Easier said than done sometimes (we know) but poor time management can lead to extra unnecessary stress! Give yourself time to plan for your studies or revise for an assessment, practice saying ‘no’ and not committing your time to things you don’t have time for, or make a to-do list and prioritise tasks.
Does the idea of preparing and revising for an exam seem overwhelming? Break tasks and projects into smaller ‘chunks’ or steps so that it is easier to learn, understand and remember.
Connect with others - Making time to socialise with friends and family can really help us to feel good if we are stressed, as feeling secure and understood by those in our lives is important. So don’t cancel those plans to see a friend, it could be just what you need! Even taking time to talk to someone on the phone can help us when we are feeling stressed, they don’t have to ‘fix our problems’ but just by having someone to listen can be enough to feel better.
Do something you enjoy and ensure time for relaxation - Whether you like to practice yoga, go to the gym, listen to music, watch TV, volunteer, cook or play board games with friends, do something you enjoy or that relaxes you. Having time for yourself is important. We often view this as a luxury or ‘treat’ but actually it is necessary in helping us remain resilient in coping with those life stresses.
Why don’t you come along to one of our Beds SU Wellness Wednesday events; with different arts and crafts activities, it is a great way to take some time out and unwind in a relaxed space.
Seek support - If things are feeling too much know that there is always someone or a service you can talk to for help and advice. For support with University matters, you can contact us or see what support is available from the university.
You can also check out what support services and help is available to you outside of university hours from our self-help Knowledge Hub articles.
For more information and advice about stress management, you have a look at the mental health charity, Mind’s tips and resource webpage.