April is National Stress Awareness Month
April 9, 2012
Feeling a little stressed out every now and then is common among parents and college students alike. After all, balancing the demands of raising a family with pursuing a degree can be a challenge.
April is National Stress Awareness Month, the month when experts try to raise awareness about stress and the negative effects it has on us.
Stress affects people in different ways but commonly affects concentration and mood. It can also cause serious health problems including headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, insomnia, asthma, arthritis, depression and anxiety.
Managing stress is crucial to feeling good, performing your best and staying healthy. In fact, according to the American Institute of Stress, it's estimated that 75 to 90 percent of all visits to primary care doctors are due to stress-related problems.
There are a variety of ways individuals alleviate stress such as exercise, meditation, aromatherapy, deep breathing exercises, listening to music, massage therapy and eating healthy foods.
Delegating responsibilities is also commonly recommended for busy individuals who are under a lot of stress.
Getting adequate sleep is another thing experts often recommend to help keep your stress level low. According to the National Sleep Foundation, individual sleep needs vary, although most adults typically need between seven and eight hours of rest each night in order to perform their best and keep stress at bay.
Those who want to get a good night's sleep should avoid caffeine and alcohol several hours before bedtime, make an effort to stick to a regular bedtime routine and create a peaceful sleeping environment for themselves without distractions such as cell phones, computers and televisions.
One thing that shouldn't cause mothers pursuing a college degree stress is paying for their education. A variety of grants for parents, scholarships for mothers and other financial aid make it easier than ever for many to fulfill their dream of becoming college graduates.
Another thing that might help student parents feel better about a busy life is that getting a degree is likely to alleviate financial stress for their families, as having a college degree can significantly boost one's earning potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011, individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $1,053 per week, compared to $768 per week for those with an associate degree, $719 per week for those with some college (but no degree) and $638 per week for those with a high school diploma.
