Are you feeling shut down by stress? In addition to exams and projects, there is so much going on in the world right now, with lots of scary headlines. Managing it all can all seem huge… and you can feel so small.
Did you know that finding more ways to play might really help?
First, follow these steps to manage your stress:
- Reflect on what you are feeling about the situation. These feelings are important to honor and feel deeply. Avoiding them or numbing them only makes them worse.
- Focus on what you CAN do, right now, to improve your situation. There is always something you can do.
- Take action. Recognize what is outside of your influence and focus on the things that are within your control. Even a few simple action steps can make a difference.
And now… it is time to play!
Research has shown that play has enormous learnings and social benefits across all ages. Play releases chemicals in the brain, including Neurotransmitters, Dopamine, and Oxytocin that all can help with emotional regulation.
Play is simply part of being alive and finding joy, even in hard times. Unfortunately, we can forget about playing when we are stressed, which takes away one of the very things that can help us.
Besides simply having more fun, the benefits of playing more are immense:
- Reduced stress by soothing the nervous system.
- Increased creativity.
- Improved problem-solving.
- Improved academic skills.
- Improved interpersonal relationships.
So put down your phone, grab a friend, and do something silly – just for fun!
However, If you can’t seem to shake how you’re feeling over time, you may have a bigger mental health concern. There are resources on campus for you to get through it.
For mental health support, reach out to the MSU Denver Counseling Center. You can schedule your initial screening online; the password is mentalhealth.
You can also call (303) 615-9988 for an appointment or simply walk into our office on the 6th floor of Tivoli.
We are here for you!
— Randal Boldt, Executive Director of Counseling Center