College students deal with anxiety and stress all the time. According to National Institutes of Health, approximately 75% of college students report experiencing moderate or high stress, with 20% experiencing six or more significant, stressful life events annually. A survey was sent to students at West Chester University asking two big questions.
- When you find yourself stressed, what do you do to ease your mind?
- What school resources do you use, or have you heard about that may help with stress?
There were many responses including going to the gym, taking a walk, listening to music, and reading a book. Many resources like the counseling center, the therapy dogs on campus, and tutoring center were mentioned as campus resources that have a positive effect on the West Chester community. The most responses received was going to the gym which was followed up the WCUPA Student Recreation Center being a positive resource for students.
The Rec center on campus has many different amenities that can cater to many different types of people depending on what students are looking for. The Rec center has a ton of equipment to utilize when working out, 2 basketball/volleyball courts, a rock-climbing wall, 2 racquetball courts, indoor track, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, outdoor terrace for sunrise/sunset stretching and yoga, and many different events held has well including intramural sports. Another positive attribute to the Rec center is that they hold workout classes for the students on campus including pilates, yoga, barre, kickboxing, body pump, cycling, and more.
An interview was conducted with Ella Rossi, a student at West Chester University, to gain insight into the importance of maintaining health and overall well-being from a student’s perspective. As well as gaining an inside perspective on how positively the rec center benefits her.
How does going to the gym help you relief stress?
“Going to the gym relieves my stress because it allows me to put my stress in a different form and working out allows me to zone into one thing and forget about my life stressors for a little bit.”
What do you like most about the Rec Center?
“I love the workout classes the most at the Rec center, it is always better to workout surrounded by positive people who will push you to keep going.”
What is your favorite workout class the Rec holds and why?
“I like cycling because it is quick and always upbeat and fun. It pushes me while allowing me to enjoy what I am doing. The music is always uplifting also to help me keep doing.”
Have you taken their yoga class (or a yoga class) and how does it help relieve stress and anxiety?
“I have not taken the yoga classes just because yoga is not my thing, but I have heard it helps a lot of individuals enjoy it as an escape from reality.”
The gym reliefs stress in many ways. One benefit of exercising is that it increases endorphins, which is a natural brain chemical that helps reduce stress, and reduce pain. This allows an individual to create a more positive mindset for themselves. Physical activity reduces cortisol levels as well, which is the main hormone linked to stress. Exercising is an escape for many people to clear their minds and act as a break from overthinking or academic pressure. Instead of bottling up emotions, exercise is a great way to release tension from stress.
Sleep is a significant factor that can add to stress as well. Going to the gym is a terrific way to help benefit sleep as well. Exercise increases sleep drive which means that your body feels more ready to rest at night. Regular workouts are connected to deeper sleep cycles, especially the restorative stage of sleep. Being active helps maintain a healthy circadian rhythm which is a natural 24 biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, and appetite. Connected to stress and anxiety, exercise also relieves anxiety that disrupts sleep since it naturally makes it easier to relax at night.
Even if workout out is not your thing, as simple as walking everyday can help reduce stress and anxiety that comes with everyday life. The West Chester University Student Recreation Center is a great outlet and has many different activities that can help reduce stress while making it feel like a safe environment.
