Stress is essentially the rate of wear and tear of the body from a variety of causes, according to Hans Selye, originator of the concept of stress.

Stress cannot be avoided. It exists either in the form of distress (negative) or eustress (positive), said Rick Long, Counseling and Student Development clinical coordinator. The goal is to control the negative stress and experience more positive stress, without letting the eustress become distressful, he said.

Stress means different things to different people, what works for one may not work for another. It can physically or emotionally drain people to the point of feeling “stressed out” or the point where they “can’t take it anymore,” Long said.

“People are different, some are owls (night people) and some are larks (morning people),” Long said. Determining what type a person is can help him function better and more productively. By accepting that type, a person can develop habits and not worry as much, he said.

For students, learning to anticipate academic deadlines and pressures can help minimize stress. Often, things come up that can’t be predicted, but if stress can be anticipated, it will not seem as bad when it hits, Long said.

Concentrating energy on what can be changed, rather than dwelling on things that can’t be controlled increases confidence and prepares one for any situation, said Robert J. Kriegel, Ph.D., and lecturer on peak performance, leadership and strategies for dealing with change.

Control of other people or external situations can’t be done, but control of preparation and response can be done. “You can control your information, attitude and actions,” Kriegel said.

Procrastination is a major cause of stress on college campuses, Long said, so students should keep track of how their time is spent.

Another way to relieve stress is to confide in friends and share problems with them. “The college experience is worth sharing,” Long said. Another advantage to sharing is that a friend’s experiences might be similar, he said.

Engaging in an activity of self-expression or finding a creative outlet, such as sports, cooking or reading might help. “The machine won’t work right if you don’t take care of it,” he said.

Increase self discipline or strive to and have commitments that can be accomplished, Long said. “College shouldn’t be all work,” he said, “Do work and then reward yourself.” Maintain a balance by setting priorities and sticking to them, he said.

“People come to the Counseling and Student Development Center for a variety of reasons,” Long said. Pressures, either academic or personal, can cause stress or be stress related. The center has workshops and offers individual or group counseling to help people deal with stress.

Developmental workshops on a variety of topics including stress is presented in residence halls or to any student organization by the center, for more information call the center at 753-1206.