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Source: Dorinda Lambert, 785-532-6927, djlink@k-state.edu
Web sites: http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/student/stressmgmt.htm and http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=194
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
K-STATE EXPERT SAYS FEAR OF H1N1 AMPLIFIES NORMAL ANXIETY ABOUT SCHOOL, OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO COPE
MANHATTAN -- For university 1xbet online sports betting , anxiety about grades is nothing new. But this year, 1xbet online sports betting also may be anxious about the H1N1 flu virus and missing classes.
Dorinda Lambert, associate director of Kansas State University's counseling services, says that 1xbet online sports betting may be concerned about getting sick, but only insofar as it will affect their ability to perform their academic duties.
&1xbet online sports betting ;Stress about the H1N1 is probably stress that is mainly from parents who are worried about their kids,&1xbet online sports betting ; Lambert said. &1xbet online sports betting ;Most of the students themselves are feeling pressure about school and not wanting to miss anything.&1xbet online sports betting ;
To deal with this anxiety, Lambert said that the first thing 1xbet online sports betting should do is get the facts about the H1N1 virus, including the best practices in prevention.
&1xbet online sports betting ;Listen to what the doctors are telling you, listen to what public health officials are telling you and follow those instructions,&1xbet online sports betting ; she said.
Besides washing hands frequently with soap and water, people should cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing; avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouths; and try to avoid having contact with those who are sick. 1xbet online sports betting also can go to reliable Web sites such as http://www.flu.gov to get information, Lambert said.
Because of the rigors of college, 1xbet online sports betting will almost always be tempted to come to campus when not feeling well, considering illness only a minor setback. However, Lambert said the risk isn't really worth it.
&1xbet online sports betting ;If you go to class but your mind isn't concentrating and absorbing the material, it's a waste of your time. Plus, it's dangerous to your classmates because you're spreading disease,&1xbet online sports betting ; she said. &1xbet online sports betting ;Students are being encouraged to stay home if they are sick so we don't have a pandemic on campus.&1xbet online sports betting ;
At K-State, 1xbet online sports betting who get sick are being encouraged to stay home and not return to class until their fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Faculty also have been asked not to require doctor's notes for academic absences of 1xbet online sports betting because of the H1N1 flu outbreak.
Lambert said managing stress and staying healthy go hand in hand.
Adequate sleep, eating right and developing effective study skills are key. Taking care of 1xbet online sports betting mind also will help 1xbet online sports betting body be better prepared to fight off disease, she said.
&1xbet online sports betting ;When you're in high-stress mode your immune system is compromised,&1xbet online sports betting ; she said. &1xbet online sports betting ;The mind and body are connected.&1xbet online sports betting ;
For brief, instant stress relief, Lambert suggests the following tips:
* Take a mini &1xbet online sports betting ;mind vacation.&1xbet online sports betting ; Close your eyes and picture a place where you feel happy, comfortable and relaxed. Breathe from your abdomen, not your chest, and breathe slowly and evenly.
* Ease the tension of studying. As you take a deep breath, relax 1xbet online sports betting jaw, and then drop 1xbet online sports betting shoulders as you breathe out. Gently roll 1xbet online sports betting head from side to side several times. Picture yourself in a place of comfort and relaxation.
* Stay alert and stretch. If you can, stand up and stretch or sit up and stretch. If any stretching would be just too public, quietly tense and hold 1xbet online sports betting muscles and then release. Do this three times, holding for 10 seconds each time and feel the energy.
* Multiple times a day, review your body for tension. Breathe deeply and think &1xbet online sports betting ;relax, release, let go&1xbet online sports betting ; to release tension. Then calmly move through your activity.
More exercises and resources about dealing with anxiety and stress are available at:
http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/student/stressmgmt.htm
