By Ojewole Emmanuel,  Director, Grant and Finance, KLA

What is stress ?

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Stress is the way human beings react both physically and mentally to changes, events, and situations in their lives. . Stress is an automatic physical, mental and emotional response to a challenging event. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.

What is management ?

Management  is the process or practice of managing things, people or resources.
What is stress management ?
stress management  are techniques designed to assist people to cope with stressors and with the negative emotions, physiological arousal and/or health consequences that arise from these stressors by changing their cognitive and emotional responses to the trigger events.
Stress management offers a range of strategies to help you better deal with stress and difficulty (adversity) in your life. Managing stress can help you lead a more balanced, healthier life

 Causes of stress?

The most frequent reasons for “stressing out” fall into three main categories:
1. The unsettling effects of change
2. The feeling that an outside force is challenging or threatening you
3. The feeling that you have lost personal control.
Life events such as marriage, changing jobs, divorce, or the death of a relative or friend
are the most common causes of stress. Although life-threatening events are less common,
they can be the most physiologically and psychologically acute. They are usually associated
with public service career fields in which people experience intense stress levels because
of imminent danger and a high degree of uncertainty—police officer, fire and rescue worker,
emergency relief worker, and the military.
Common stress for students are:
• Increased academic demands
• Being on your own in a new environment
• Changes in family relations
• Financial responsibilities
• Changes in your social life
• Exposure to new people, ideas, and temptations
• Awareness of your sexual identity and orientation
• Preparing for life after graduation.
Ways/How to manage stress
The first step is understanding yourself better—how you react in different situations, what causes you stress, and how you
behave when you feel stressed.
Identify your stressors: Start by identifying the specific things that cause stress in your life. It could be work-related deadlines, personal relationships, or financial concerns. Knowing your stressors will help you develop targeted strategies to manage them.

Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is key to managing stress. Make sure to prioritize activities that promote physical and mental well-being. This could include regular exercise, quality sleep, healthy eating, and engaging in hobbies or activities that bring you joy.

Time management: Effective time management can significantly reduce stress. Plan your tasks and prioritize them based on importance and urgency. Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and set realistic deadlines to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Relaxation techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or listening to calming music can help you relax and reduce stress levels. Find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine.

Support system: Surround yourself with a strong support system. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups who can provide encouragement and help you navigate through stressful situations. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others

Practice stress-reducing techniques: Explore different stress-reducing techniques that work for you. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or engaging in hobbies like painting or playing an instrument can help alleviate stress.

 Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Pay attention to your physical well being
• Schedule time for vacation, breaks in your routine, hobbies, and fun activities.
• Try to arrange for uninterrupted time to accomplish tasks that need your
concentration. Arrange some leisure time during which you can do things that you
really enjoy.
• Avoid scheduling too many appointments, meetings, and classes back-to-back.
Allow breaks to catch your breath. Take a few slow, deep breaths whenever you
feel stressed. Breathe from the abdomen and, as you exhale, silently say to yourself,
“I feel calm.”
• Become an expert at managing your time. Read books, view videos, and attend
seminars on time management. Once you cut down on time wasters, you’ll find
more time to recharge yourself.
• Learn to say “no.” Setting limits can minimize stress. Spend time on your main
responsibilities and priorities rather than allowing other people’s priorities or needs
to dictate how you spend your time.
• Exercise regularly to reduce muscle tension and promote a sense of well-being.
• Tap into your support network. Family, friends, and social groups can help when
dealing with stressful events.

OJEWOLE EMMANUEL OPEYEMI