Students reveal their stress relievers

By Martha Stocks
Pulse Staff Reporter

Palo Alto students have more on their plates these days, but they are keeping their minds focused with different ways to stay on track and to stay away from stress.

According to the website WebMD, stress is a part of life, and a person can’t always avoid it and you can try to avoid situations that can cause it. The first step is to know coping strategies.

The counselors of PAC can help students deal with their stress. They utilize a step-by-step program to analyze what is going on and what are some alternative ways to control the stress.

“Some students come in with physical symptoms or physiological symptoms,” said Yolanda Reyna, Ed. D., Counselor/Assistant Professor of Student Development. “We talk about ways that helped with stress in the past. What has helped you deal with it?”

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Walking is a great way to get started, according to WebMD.

Sophomore Stephane Alexander who is majoring in Biology, said, “ I have a treadmill at home. I try to look at the big picture and try not to stress.”

Another student who manages to avoid stress is Sophomore Biology major Ibrahim Altamar. “I just go to the gym and work out on anything that is open in the weight room. That’s all the stress reliever I need,” said Altamar.

Some other coping tips to help manage your stress are writing, social support, muscular tension/relaxation and decision-making.

Freshman Andrian Benitez, a Business major, said, “What I do to relieve stress is talk to friends or take a walk to exercise.”

Another student dealing with stress is Lysandra Gomez, a sophomore majoring in Pre-Pharmacy. “Between work and class, I don’t have much time, but when I do, I go out with my friends,” she said.

Find things you can do physically to help deal with your stress. Consider activities that you never thought of before, like dancing or swimming, Reyna recommends.

Mechanical and Civil Engineer major Anthony Alvarado said, “I chill out and just relax. Don’t worry about things. Stress makes you old. I also play war games.”

Another student with a way to deal with stress is freshman Veterinarian Technician Krystal Flores. She said, “I play my games on the Nintendo DS, and I talk to my friends about my problems to see if they can help me.”

Sophomore Jessica Cruz, majoring in English/Second Language Education, said, “I read fun novels, not for college, or I’ll go for a walk.”

Counselor Dorothy Ulcak expands on a unique but very important part of her classes that helps today’s overloaded students deal with everyday stress.

“You must go and find something that you enjoy and want to do that is going to be your ‘Me Time’,” explained Ulcak.

Ulcak then has her students describe in detail where they went, what they did, who they were with and what about their “Me Time” was refreshing and renewing to them.

Another student who avoids stress is Sophomore Adriana Navarro, an Early Education major, who said, “I watch T.V. or listen to the radio.”

Freshman Leonarda Barker, Fashion Design major, said, “I do many things to relieve stress. I watch television, work on jigsaw puzzles, water my yard and talk to my friends.”

Freshman Jessica Espinoza said, “I watch T.V., cook anything I can, or take my dog for a walk.”

Some students can focus on what is going good in their lives and how to appreciate some of the things that are going on, according to Reyna.

Freshman Krystal Gonzales, who is working toward her A.S. in Teaching to transfer to Texas A&M-Kingsville San Antonio, said, “I read anything that I can. That’s the only stress reliever.”

Atilano Mendoza, a Sophomore Biology major, said, “I just keep myself busy, no matter what. When it’s something I enjoy doing, I just do it. I keep myself busy. It takes my mind off what I shouldn’t be thinking about.”

If you are not sure what your problem is, the Counseling Department has a depression screening that they try to host every semester. If they cannot, then they do it a minimum of once per year. They don’t just test for depression; they also look for anxiety and bipolar disorder for students, faculty and staff.

If you are having trouble dealing with your stress, a counselor located in the Applied Technology Center, upstairs, in room 214 is ready to help out. You may call (210) 486-3333 to schedule an appointment.