Ahhh college…some view it as the best time of their life while others as the most challenging and uncomfortable. Whichever way you remember it, stressful probably isn’t how you would describe it. Today college students are under a tremendous amount of stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that colleges are seeing a generation of students who appear to be manifesting increased signs of depression, anxiety and stress. Managing stress is a learned ability and learning to manage college stress while building resilience will carry them a long way over their lifetime.
To help your child learn to manage the pressure, here are some things you can do:
Shift to Ease at the Onset of Stress. Learning to shift to a state of inner ease at the onset of challenging situations can help prevent and eliminate many unwanted predicaments. The Inner-Ease technique will make it easier for your college student to navigate through many challenges. Have them practice it a few times each day for several weeks, so it will become a natural part of the daily routine.
Step 1: Heart-Focused Breathing
Focus your attention in the area of the heart. Imagine your breath is flowing in and out of your heart or chest area, breathing a little slower and deeper than usual.
Suggestion: Inhale 5 seconds, exhale 5 seconds (or whatever rhythm is comfortable).
Step 2: Draw in the Feeling of Inner Ease
With each breath, draw in the feeling of inner ease to balance your mental and emotional energy.
Step 3: Anchor and Maintain the Feeling
Set a meaningful intent to anchor the feeling of inner ease as you engage in your projects, challenges or daily interactions.
Purchase a book: The College De-Stress Handbook: Keeping Cool Under Pressure From the Inside Out offers college students some practical tools and techniques that they can use during this period of change and transition.
Take advantage of HeartMath’s resilience building technology:
Inner Balance™ App and Sensor for iOS & Android devices- a fun and innovative approach to de-stressing and improving wellness. It helps you change your reaction to stress, gain insights in your shifting moods and create a more positive outlook on life.
emWave2– This mobile unit with computer interface helps you learn to build inner resilience – a state of poise and readiness for effectively dealing with stressful feelings and whatever challenges come your way.
emWave® Pro – The emWave Pro is a scientifically validated hardware/software system that teaches techniques to help you manage stress through creating an optimal state in which the heart, mind and emotions are operating in-sync and balanced.
