Anxiety in College Students: 6 Ways to Cope
Anxiety disorders among college students is on the rise. According to researchers, diagnoses of anxiety have increased by 6 percent between 2009 and 2015. According to many research studies, the most common mental health problem among US college students is anxiety. Fortunately, there are more psychiatric services available on most university campuses in the US. Due to a decrease in stigmatization of mental health disorders in recent years, an increasing amount of college students are seeking out these services.
College can be an exciting, yet scary time. For the first time in their lives, students are now on their own and away from most of their parents influence. This is also a time to seek out new friendships and relationships. There is also plenty of pressure placed on college students. For example, they are often pressured to achieve good grades, and succeed. All of this change can come hard and fast, especially when you are a young adult. So, what are some ways to cope with anxiety while in college? I’ve listed six ways to cope with college-related anxiety.
1. Meditation
I personally practice meditation and am also in college. This is something I practice daily for ten minutes, and it brings great relief. It costs nothing and is relatively easy to do. All it takes is a little time. Now I have to admit, when I first started practicing meditation, I thought it would be pretty hard. After all, when you are stressed and have final exams to study for and papers to write, the last thing you’re able to do is silence your mind! So, for those in this scenario (I was one of them) I recommend trying guided meditation and/or mindfulness meditation first. There are different types of meditation, and those are easiest if you need help quieting your mind. I practice guided meditation for ten minutes every morning and it helps with my anxiety just fine. In case you were wondering, the benefits of daily meditation include better sleep, improved relaxation, less anxiety, and it can even boost your immune system.
2. Aromatherapy
This leads to my second tip. While I practice meditation, I often diffuse essential oils. I regularly use Young Living essential oils. Young Living is our affiliate, and I will provide a link to their products at the end of this post. Their products are extremely good quality and are of therapeutic grade. The best essential oil blends for anxiety include Valor (a grounding blend of Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, Camphor Wood, Geranium, and Frankincense. It is perfect for meditation), Stress Away (a unique and refreshing blend of Vanilla, Lime, Copaiba, Lavender, Cedarwood, and a unique essential oil from Ecuador called Ocotea. Perfect for exam day), and Peace & Calming (one of Young Living’s most popular blends; a calming blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy). I recommend diffusing these for ten minutes a day and/or placing two to three drops on a cotton ball.
3. See a therapist
Fortunately, most college campuses are equipped with counseling services for their students. A therapist is a great ally you can turn to during times of imminent stress. He or she will provide you with support from a non-judgmental perspective; something I feel many college students need. A lot of campuses now offer group counseling as well. If you or a loved one is in need of a therapist, give our office a call. Megan Dozler will be happy to help.
4. See a psychiatrist
In more severe cases of anxiety, a therapist sometimes isn’t enough. Sometimes, medication can be necessary. Many college students take anti-anxiety medicines to help them calm down. They can also help with sleep. With anxiety comes other issues, such as insomnia. When you’re in college, a good night’s sleep and enough downtime is essential. Sometimes these medicines can help a student reset. If you decide to seek out the services of a psychiatrist, ask your therapist for a referral. Or, contact your university’s student services department.
5. Visit campus clergy
Obviously, this is not available to all college students. However, if it is available at your school, it might be helpful to consider. Similar to a therapist, seeing a clergy member can help you gain introspect and insight. Also, it can provide you with genuine (also non-judgmental) emotional support.
6. Keep in touch with family and friends back home
While in college, it is important to have healthy relationships. Seek out connections with caring, compassionate people on campus. Peer pressure is very common among college students. If you are in college, do yourself a favor and don’t fall into the peer pressure trap. Connections that are genuine will provide you with support when you need it most. How many of us have had “fake” friends while in college? College is a scary time. The more emotional support you have, the better!
I hope this post was helpful. If you are a college student struggling with a form of anxiety, please know there is plenty of help out there. It is crucial to seek support to help you during this time. If anxiety is ruling your life, seek the help of a professional. If you are seeking the support of a therapist, Core3 is happy to help. Give our office a call and schedule your free consultation. (888) 203-0113. If you wish to purchase Young Living essential oils, please click on our affiliate link: