By Aisha Banafe/reporter
A former TCC counselor gave students tips to assess their stress levels and learn to deal with stress during the Stress Management seminar Feb. 23 on SE Campus.
Speaker Joyce Fisher handed out BIODOT skin thermometers used to measure stress. When the small circle dot sticker is placed between the index finger and thumb, the dot changes color. Fisher said the change is triggered by a main system inside the body reacting adversely to a stressful situation.
The colors indicate the individual’s current stress level, she said. Black means a person is in a very intense situation. Violet indicates a person is very relaxed. A person between the two extremes will see green.
The 20 people who attended included full-time employees, students and family caregivers.
Fisher said college students experience stressors from many areas of life, such as social, financial or academic.
“Women experience more stress than men,” she said.
A woman experiences more impact from emotional situations and conflict. She may exhibit more sensitivity than the opposite gender, Fisher said.
Fisher said stress can be bad — too much stress can lead to feelings like a frequent headband pressure, stiff neck, sore back and many other stress symptoms. If left untreated, these stressors can cause heart problems or death.
“The best way to cure stress is you need to exercise,” she said.
Exercise can reframe the stressor and simplify one’s life as well as having healthy relationships with loved ones, she said.
Fisher pointed out another technique for relieving stress.
“Stop stress with a relaxation breathing response,” she said.
Breathing correctly can turn off the stress response for at least 10-15 minutes, Fisher said.
Students should develop a positive mindset to see the big picture every time they face a hard situation, she said.
Positivity can lead to a less stressful life, Fisher said.
