As a college student, I have probably stressed over every aspect of my life about 19 hours out of every day. The other 6 hours, I am sleeping... if I even get five hours of sleep. In college, I have experienced levels of stress that I never knew could exist. As a kid in middle school and high school, I would think that the smallest issue (that I see as little now) was the end of the world. I would do anything to experience my middle school and high school problems over the ones I have battled in college.

When I face my stressors all I can think of is my future and how much these external stimuli impact the rest of my life. I am building my career that will in the long run fund my wedding, my first home of my own, and the family I eventually want to build with my future husband. I know I am not the only one experiencing this stress which eases it at times, and I know that I could have it worse and not even have the opportunity to go to college so I can pursue my endeavors, which is why I have not let stress take over my life.

Yes, college is going to be stressful. Yes, you are going to have to bust your butt to get where you need/want to be. You are not alone. I have realized how stress does not help make that A on an exam. I have realized how stress can negatively impact my health mentally and physically. I don’t want to become that person in the group that always stresses and brings everyone else's mood down.

A little stress is okay. It is natural and can actually stimulate motivation, but don’t let abundant amounts of it take over. The long-term effects are frightening, to say the least.

-Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders

-Cardiovascular disease

-Obesity and other eating disorders

- Skin and hair issues

-Gastrointestinal problems

The list can go on, but this gives you an idea of how severe stress can impact your life. I have realized that if I let it go too far that these goals of mine that I am stressing over may never happen. I cannot let stress win this, and neither can you.

Coping and relieving stressors may sound cliche, especially if you overwork yourself. But for me, there is NOTHING a bath with my favorite bath bombs cannot fix.