Effectively coping with stress during finals week in ED recovery

Contributor: Kirsten Haglund, Community Relations Representative for Timberline Knolls and Founder and President of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation

Whether in high school, undergrad or a graduate program, finals week can be an incredibly stressful and difficult time.

In fact, a 2008 study by the Associated Press found that one in five students feel “too stressed to do schoolwork or be with friends,” and have seriously considered dropping out of school. They report eating and sleeping problems as a result of stress. About a third of students say they often want to use alcohol and/or drugs to relax. One in six say they have friends who have talked about committing suicide in the past year, and one in ten have seriously considered suicide themselves.

Adding the pressure of finals to this already distressing picture can make the situation downright unbearable. So how do students cope? The good news is that there are tangible, legitimate ways to reduce stress in a healthy way, and not only perform well but keep your mental and physical health intact as well.

Keep it in Perspective

There is more to life than finals or your grade on a transcript. It may not feel that way, but it is the truth. Something that always rang true in my mind during finals week was the fact that I knew there were millions of young women around the globe who would give anything for the opportunity of a college education – therefore, I should feel blessed, rather than stressed.

Furthermore, recognize that there is often undue pressure placed on students to figure out their whole life, career path, and destiny during your time at school. But you will change so much during your college years, and especially the years following.

You may even completely change your career goals (it happens all the time! More often than you think). Extend grace to yourself and realize that a grade on an exam, a professor’s opinion, or a GPA does not determine your future or your worth. You were created with intrinsic value that comes as a result of being a beloved child of God. No number – on the scale or on a test, will ever determine your worthiness.

Fuel Yourself Well

Make sure to fuel your body well. This means not neglecting your meal plan and healthy habits. Usually, late night eating becomes the norm because of around-the-clock studying, so make sure you have your fill of nutritious foods that will sustain your body and your mind, rather than trigger a binge. Make sure to schedule snack breaks where you eat mindfully and intentionally; take care of yourself.

Light exercise like a walk listening to music or yoga can help you to focus when you return to studying, and can help you to feel grounded during the period of finals. Furthermore, do not neglect sleep! It can seem counterintuitive, but sleep is food for the brain. In order to think well, remember well, and perform well, the brain needs sleep.

Make sure not to burn the candle at both ends, and don’t make it a competition among friends as to who can function on the least amount of sleep. This includes staying away from excessive caffeine and Adderall, which an be dangerous, addictive and completely counterproductive. You might feel pressure to be the last one out of the library, but in truth, making good sleep a priority is a key to success during finals week.

Rally Your Support Team

Lastly, you can’t make it through stressful periods of life alone, so make sure to rally your support team! Make time for community, and make sure to keep supportive friends, family, counselors or therapists within texting reach. Reach out if you are struggling with triggers, and even let trusted professionals know ahead of time if there is a particular issue you’re dealing with.

They are there for you to lean on! Reaching out for help and support does not mean you are weak; it shows an inordinate amount of strength. Ask your faith community and family to pray for you. Make time for devotions in the morning or evening before you go to sleep. When you make time for those you love, reach out for support, and rest in God, finals become less miserable, and more of an exercise in dependence on God and His grace.

When you prepare for finals as a test of faith and a way to grow spiritually in recovery, they become an entirely different and more fulfilling experience. That is because the benefits reaped from finals week become not just a grade or a fleeting achievement, but character, perseverance, and long-lasting spiritual strength. Even better, as you pursue a gracious peace and calm during your finals week, your light will spread and help others to keep the week in perspective, show themselves grace, and use the experience to grow, not to despair.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are some effective ways for coping with stress experienced through finals week?

About the author: Kirsten Haglund continues to work as an advocate for greater awareness of eating disorders and resources for care. Since she won the crown of Miss America 2008, she has spoken on numerous college campuses, worked with youth and church groups domestically and abroad, lobbied Congress with the Eating Disorders Coalition, and started her own non-profit, the Kirsten Haglund Foundation, to raise funds and assist families financially in seeking treatment for eating disorders. She is also the Community Relations Specialist for Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 28, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com