Storms don’t last forever
Madeeha Farooq
“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it better”.
Stress is a normal reaction that happens to everyone. In fact, the human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges, your body produces physical and mental responses, that is stress.
Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. For example, if you have an important test coming up, a stress response might help your body work harder and stay awake longer. But stress becomes a problem when stressors (challenges) continue without relief or periods of relaxation.
A new study finds that when students experience an academic setback such as a bad grade, the amount of cortisol- the so called ‘Stress Hormone’ in their bodies typically spikes. For most students it drops back down to normal levels a day later, but for some it stays high. These students remain fixated on the setback and have difficulty moving forward.
Stress isn’t always bad. Cortisol increases blood sugar, metabolism and memory function, providing a temporary boost to physical and cognitive ability and positive stress called “eustress” can boost motivation and decision making, helping students achieve goals. The stress experienced over an upcoming test is a reminder to study, a way of raising the stakes so that students recognise the importance of being prepared.
Different things cause stress in different people. Some of the things students commonly cite as causes of stress include;
Examinations
Deadlines
Returning to study
Pressure of combining paid work and study
Poor time management
Leaving assignments to the last minute
Poor housing
Overcrowding
Noise
Adjusting to life in a new environment or even country
Difficulties with personal relationships (e.g., splitting up)
Balancing the demands of a family with studying
Parents or problems at home
Very often stress results from an accumulation of many different pressures which build up gradually without us noticing.
Managing stress
The key to success is to think positively take control of your stress and anxiety by learning effective techniques to combat it. Relaxing bodily tension in order to reduce the Physical sensations of stress is a good place to start. If your body is free of tension, your mind tends to be relaxed. This helps you concentrate and study, take decisions and solve problems. When you are relaxed, you can view each task as a positive challenge, and use stress as a stimulus to help you carry it out, giving you a relaxing glow of achievement afterwards.
Be kind to yourself. Give your “me time” in which you can choose what you want to do. Rest. Do nothing. Try a relaxation technique, massage and have a long hot bath. Spend time with parents/friends. Treat yourself to something special. Taking proper breaks and eating well do help to combat stress.
Acknowledging a problem to yourself and others can be the first step in dealing with it. Sometimes having a good cry can release emotional pressure and calm your feelings of anxiety.
And the most important thing, Allah SWT the creator of universe has revealed the Noble Quran as a guide for mankind till the end of time, giving us a guide to help us through depression. Some “Surahas” of the Holy Quran are valuable reading during depression and anxiety, as their meanings and messages can help alleviate depression, In sha Allah.
Surah-Duha…
Surah-Duha, surah 93, Allah SWT revealed it at the time when prophet (SAW) was depressed, to soothe him for the man who suffered the most in this world, it was something very soothing. The surah reminds the Prophet (SAW) of the blessings that Allah has opened for him and asks him to help the poor and the needy and to make mention of the blessings of Allah upon him.
Surah-Inshirah…
Along with Surah-Duha, Allah also revealed surah-Inshirah , surah 94, in the Quran. Allah tells the Prophet (SAW) about how Allah had eased the pain that the prophet felt internally by revealing to him the Quran. Allah mentions how He will raise the mention of His prophet around the world, and today every second somewhere on earth the “adhaan” is going on and someone somewhere is saying “Ashadu anna Mohammadur Rasulallah”. Allah also mentions that before hardship and after hardship is ease. Then He instructs the Prophet to pray to His lord after he is done with his duties to the people.
Stressed-out students aren’t thinking about solutions. If you want students to learn from their mistakes and overcome obstacles, think about ways to encourage them to adopt a growth mindset.
‘Give your stress wings let it fly away.
(The author is a student and can be reached at [email protected])
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