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How to deal with the stress of finding a job

We have all experienced stress and its adverse effects.  Stress might be seen as a wrench which is thrown into a well functioning, yet complex, mechanical device—in this case your mind, causing that device to seize by wreaking havoc on the device’s inner architecture and severely impairing its structural components. Although the damage is not irreparable—after removing the wrench, the machine’s various damaged cogs, belts, and levers can be replaced—damage has nonetheless been done, and the cleanup effort no doubt would be painstaking. For students, stress—given its harmful psycho-physiological (i.e. psychosomatic) effects—can be especially menacing. 

In a student’s life there are numerous sources of stress. From term paper deadlines to extensive reading assignments, the stress most students endure daily is considerable. Throwing finding a job into the mix would be enough to send any already psychologically burdened student into stress overload. If you are currently feeling overloaded with stress, WebMD has a few tips (a few of which I have listed below) that are meant to help curtail stress and its harmful effects:

  1. Write. It may help to write about things that are bothering you. Write for 10 to 15 minutes a day about stressful events and how they made you feel. Or think about starting a stress journal. This helps you find out what is causing your stress and how much stress you feel. After you know, you can find better ways to cope.
  2. Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. Talking with friends, family, a counselor, or a member of the clergy about your feelings is a healthy way to relieve stress.
  3. Do something you enjoy. This can be:
  • A hobby, such as gardening.
  • A creative activity, such as writing, crafts, or art.
  • Playing with and caring for pets.
  • Volunteer work.
  1. Focus on the present. Meditation and guided imagery are two ways to focus and relax your mind.

The above tips were taken from WebMD’s article on Ways to Relieve Stress. For more information about stress and its harmful side effects visit WebMD’s Stress Management Health Center.

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