Seminar provides stress relief for over-extended schedules

    by Ryan Buchanan

    Simple choices individuals make in their everyday lives affect the levels of negative stress they will experience, a South Campus Counselor told students last month.

    Sandra Johnson has been giving seminars on coping with stress since 1990.

    "You have stress whether you want it or not. It's how you deal with it that makes it good or bad," she said.

    Stress never goes away, Johnson said.

    "The only way to eliminate stress is if you are dead," she said.

    "There is no reason why you have to be miserable; understand that you have control."

    Johnson said that diet, the way a person reacts to anger, loneliness and lack of adequate sleep contribute to negative stress.

    "The fact of the matter is that we don't take the time to deal with ourselves," she said. "We're too busy dealing with everybody else's problems to solve our own."

    Johnson said that the factors that contribute to the "whole person" are the keys to handling stress.

    Several factors that determine the kind of stress people will have in their lives.

    These elements, according to the counselor, include the physical limits of one's body, the psychological conflicts within people's lives, spirituality-the things people stand for, believe in-the way they operate and the environment they place themselves.

    Johnson said it is very important to examine habits and choices in order to cope positively with daily stress.

    "On a day-to-day basis, you need to examine what you are doing to your body, examine what you believe, examine what does and does not work for you," she said.

    Johnson said that a healthy reaction to stress also includes the way one reverses or counteracts the physical effects that stress can cause.

    Simple things such as maintaining good posture, breathing regularly and stretching help reduce stress caused on the body.

    Johnson suggested several ways students can lower stress.

    For instance, students could have regular conferences with professors to discuss problems with classwork or to get explanations.

    Another method of reducing stress, Johnson said, is to set up a network of communication with other students.

    Johnson also advised students to take the time to go over materials for the class.

    The key to handling stress with family and other close relationships is communication.

    "Never let problems grow inside of you until they reach boiling point. This will only cause more negative stress for both parties," she said.

    According to Johnson, it is important to have some stress in one's daily life, for stress creates a better and stronger person.

    Johnson concluded her presentation with a piece of advice.

    "Be who you are and not who others want you to be and understand that you have control," she said.