Stress Addiction among UK University Students
Introduction
Stress is a common experience among university students, given the rigorous academic demands, social pressures, and personal challenges they face. While stress is a natural response to challenging situations, some students may develop stress addiction. Stress addiction is when individuals become accustomed to stress, finding comfort in constant pressure and chaos.
However, stress addiction can lead to serious consequences, including burnout, anxiety disorders, and compromised overall well-being, leading them to rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms. We will explore stress addiction among UK-based university students, examine how they typically deal with stress and present strategies for healthier coping.
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80% of students reported experiencing stress
Prevalence of Stress: According to a survey conducted by the TheInsightNetwork in the UK, 80% of students reported experiencing stress during their university studies. More than half (54%) of students struggle with practicing healthy habits like working out and healthy eating and almost two-thirds (64%) say they don’t get enough sleep. 1 in 4 UK students find managing money extremely stressful, over one-third (39%) say textbooks are too expensive, and around one-third saying they cannot afford rent and housing costs.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
Numerous studies have demonstrated that resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms during times of stress can provide temporary relief, but they fail to offer a permanent solution. Additionally, these strategies may even contribute to an increase in overall stress levels, exacerbating the problem in the long run.
1. Social Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions when facing stress instead of seeking support from friends or university resources, leads to feelings of loneliness and exacerbating stress levels.
2. Unhealthy Eating Habits: The temptation to resort to comfort foods or emotional eating such as high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods, which leads to weight gain and worsens stress in the long term.
3. Substance Abuse: The National Health Service (NHS) reports that a significant number of university students in the UK misuse alcohol or drugs as a means of coping with stress. This dangerous practice can lead to substance dependency and have severe physical and mental health consequences.
Impact on Mental Health:
A study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated that the number of university students in the UK seeking counselling services for stress and mental health-related issues has risen by 50% in the past decade. In 2018, 1 in 5 students had a mental health diagnosis and almost one-fifth reported that the issue had emerged in their time at university.
Healthier Ways to Cope With Stress
To break free from stress addiction and maintain a healthy balance in their lives, university students must adopt healthier coping mechanisms. These approaches will not only alleviate stress but also promote personal growth and resilience.
1. Simran:
We are constantly thinking, occupying the mind thinking about exams, coursework deadlines, social life, debt, or the future. We are never left alone, constantly immersed in a pool of thoughts. We may not be aware, but the mind is constantly in pain; from waves of stress leading to waves of anxiety or depression. An example of how this pain can be alleviated by eliminating thoughts is through a universal tool - Simran. Simran is a focused practice for the mind which is the repetition of a word. This builds resilience and allows us to take control of the mind. This technique is done by verbally saying your chosen two-syllable word out loud, listening to yourself saying it out loud and focusing your full attention on the sound of your own voice.
2. Set realistic expectations of yourself:
We all tend to compare ourselves to that ‘someone’ - the someone who excels in everything, the someone who tends to effortlessly achieve the most, and as much as you try to keep up, you just cannot, it seems impossible. Remember, everyone has different strengths; you are unique - no one can do what you do and most importantly, you can only control the amount of effort you put in, not the outcome. To achieve your goals, it's important to reflect on why you are stressed, come up with solutions based on your strengths and determine what you need to focus on improving.
3. Physical Activity:
Feeling stressed may take up all your time and end up making you feel like you do not have time for anything else. One must take the initiative to take a break from stress, which will ultimately end up increasing productivity. Making time to do physical activity, hobbies, and interests outside of academics reduces the stress hormones in the body while stimulating feel-good hormones, which are mood boosters that enhance the sense of well-being.
4. Seeking Support:
The feeling of shame, embarrassment or being self-sufficient are barriers to receiving and accepting help. We may know ourselves the best, but getting support from friends, family, or counselling services is important. Having an external perspective to help process your decision-making process, thoughts and feelings will facilitate further self-development and the ability to cope with challenges.
Simran can lead the way
Addressing stress addiction among university students in the UK is a crucial mission, and Simran can take a leading role in this effort. By recognising the signs of stress addiction and taking proactive steps to manage it, Simran can safeguard someone's mental and physical well-being and enhance academic performance. Seeking support, mastering time management, engaging in physical activity, and giving priority to sleep and nutrition are all key tools. Simran can lead the way in promoting a healthier and more successful academic experience.
Find out more about Simran.
Image by Greg Dunn