Schools are designed to help students develop essential skills and obtain knowledge which can help them prosper in the outer world. However, imparting critical knowledge and skills is challenging and might cause stress. Most students enrolled in an educational facility often experience some level of stress, and it can hamper their overall development. 

It can also take a toll on their health and make them unhappy. Managing stress is the key to succeeding as a student. Stress can be induced due to various reasons. A lot of it is related to the person’s psyche. Read on to learn more about the causes of stress and how to manage it.

What Causes Stress In Students? 

Stress can be caused due to various factors. As per a study (nov-dec’20), it was found that approximately one-third of the students enrolled in high school in Japan showed some symptoms of depression. Another study found that the majority of stress was due to school activities. 

Some of the most prominent stress causes include homework, school, co-curricular activities, transitions, social challenges, and relationships. It is important to note that the stress level caused by different factors is unique for every student. 

Tips To Effectively Manage Stress In Students

Reputed international school in Tokyo like GIIS encourages students to incorporate different stress management techniques to overcome challenges. So now that we have a fair idea regarding different stress causes in students let’s take a deep dive into different stress management techniques. 

• Get adequate sleep 

Not getting adequate sleep is the root cause of stress in most cases. Students spend nearly a third of their day at school. With homework and co-curricular activities, they have a very tight schedule. Therefore, managing 7 to 8 hours of sleep must be part of their daily schedule. 

• Learn the art of visualisation 

Leveraging the power of guided imagery can help to manage stress. Different visualisation techniques are designed to detach people from stress-inducing elements. In addition, it can help to turn off our body’s stress responses. 

• Exercise regularly 

Exercising daily, even for a little while, can help to reduce stress significantly. Students can choose from a wide range of exercises depending on their preference and availability. For example, doing yoga in the morning, cycling to the school campus, treadmill running, etc. 

• Progressive muscle relaxation technique 

The progressive muscle relaxation technique is a great way to reduce stress. It involves tensing and relaxing all muscles until the body has achieved a state of relaxation. Students can practice it during tests, before sleeping for deeper sleep, or whenever they feel stressed out. 

• Tune into your favourite music 

Listening to music is one of the best stress-busters for all people. It is the most effortless way to tackle stress-related problems. Students can tune into their favourite music to overcome stress on a daily basis. 

• Get organised 

Decluttering and organising things in order can help to manage stress. It has also proved to be effective when it comes to boosting productivity. A soothing work/study space can work wonders.  

• Eat a healthy meal 

Many students experience stress problems due to fatigue. This can be managed by eating a healthy meal. A healthy and balanced meal can give students the required energy to do all daily activities. 

• Take deep breaths

The power of deep breaths is really underrated. There are numerous deep breathing techniques that have helped to reduce stress. 

• Self-hypnosis 

Self-hypnosis is an unconventional but effective way to manage stress and boost productivity. It works on the principle of autosuggestion. 

• Inculcate positive thinking 

Positive thinking is one of the most effective techniques to reduce and manage stress. People with an optimistic outlook tend to have a lower stress level.