[This tip provided by Kendra Williams, senior Communications Study major.]

As the semester progresses, many students tend to become stressed out with seemingly overwhelming amounts of homework and other course requirements.

Well stress no more!  While some stress of course is motivating, it certainly helps to know how to recognize and manage stress.

Here are some tips to help keep the stress away, or simply relieve stress:

1. Make sure you are getting enough rest at night. Or, if you aren’t able to do so, and depending on what you have to do the next day, schedule some time in your day to take a power nap, for no more than two hours. But only if you can.
2. Eat something within an hour after you awake, especially in the morning. And if you’re the type of person who tends to become hungry often; bring a lunchbox with you in order to eat snacks throughout the day. The ideal snacks to eat should be high in nutritious value also. A soda and a Milky Way bar are not recommended.  Fruit and vegetables are handy snacks and healthy for you, too.
3. Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. Sure, walking is a great way to stay fit, but doing a series of jumping jacks, or running on the treadmill will enhance your level of fitness. So if you aren’t able to go to Swinney Recreation Center once a day, try and go at least twice a week. Or look-up a few at-home workout routines on YouTube.
4. Keep track of tasks needed for completion. In other words, make a to-do list weekly, daily, or nightly before the following day. It may sound unnecessary, but it really does help to have a list of all the things you need to do, at your fingertips. Whether it is electronically available on your iPad or written the old fashioned way with a pen and paper. It helps tremendously! And it feels great to check tasks off the list!
5. The MindBody Connection offers a great place to relax and learn more about coping with stress.   The MBC has a relaxation station, featuring a massage chair, relaxation recordings, and a place for prayer and meditation. It also hosts Wii hours of the day where you can use Wii sports, Wii play, and Wii fit to get your body moving and also have some fun!  Also check out MBC2Go for quick tips, apps, self-reflection, and other great tips!
6. Treat yourself! Once you have completed a goal, pat yourself on the back. Whether it is going to see a movie you’ve been dying to see in the theaters, or getting tickets to go see a comedy show. Do it. Because you deserve it!