How to overcome stress

Stress can cause depression, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, difficulty concentrating and many other ailments in students. Is it possible to produce a less stressful lifestyle within the daily mayhem of college?

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, more than 19 million American adults have an anxiety disorder, while approximately 18.8 million suffer from depression. The Web site stated a correlation between mental and physical illness. Certain health problems including high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue may lead to even more serious health problems down the road.

It's no wonder many people are so stressed out. With work stretching more than 40 hours at times and hectic school schedules, many are unable to find calm in such chaotic lives.

The Art of Living helps teach students, faculty and anyone wanting to change their life for the better. Spanning across 140 countries, the Art of Living lends leaders in its community to the UW.

UW student Anh-Thu Nguyen and activity coordinator for the Art of Living Club joined several years ago during her undergraduate studies at Purdue.

"I've been happier ever since. ...[I appreciate] beauty of life, enjoy each moment as it comes," Nguyen said after being convinced by friends to attend.

The Art of Living Club is doing its part to help UW students learn to lead happier lives by offering free "Happy Hour yoga" classes once a week as well as hosting Yes!, a six day program for students that teaches leadership skills, practical techniques in dealing with stress, how to improve relationships, increased focus for studying and much more.

"It's all about empowering students to be more effective in life," said UW alumnus Brian Carver, an Art of Living Happy Hour yoga instructor and head advisor.

One of the main teachings at the Art of Living Club is the sudarshan kriya, a rhythmic breathing technique that attacks stress at the root level, Carver said.

Through certain breathing techniques, one can manage stress more easily. This method has also been proven to lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone that has also been linked to weight gain.

During Happy Hour Yoga, students are taught several aspects of yoga including meditation, sudarshan kriya, physical yoga knowledge, as well as different human values of peace, friendliness and human compassion, Carver said.

"The Art of Living Club helps you learn techniques that you can do everyday on your own," said member UW alumnus Mark Christiansen. "So you can maintain that state of stress free living."

The sudarshan kriya has also been known to help with depression. This breathing technique enables the person to deal with problems on a physiological level while psychology uses words to sort through problems.

"[The sudarshan kriya] empowers you to take care of [yourself,]" said Jameelah Carver, adviser for the Art of Living Foundation and Happy Hour yoga teacher.

UW student and club president David Kwan wants to help instill a sense of community for students at the UW by sponsoring fun activities such as group mediation on Mt. Rainier.

"All of us want to make sure that students know there is something out there to promote positive influence in their life, affect their community," said Carver. "That feeling of connection to the community ... is empowering: You can do something good for those around you and yourself."

Mainly, the key to happiness seems to be keeping a positive outlook as well as participating in humanitarian deeds.

However, a little stress may be good in your life, perhaps to help motivate you to obtain your goals, or maybe you thrive on the adrenaline.

"It's bad to have too much, but it's bad to have too little as well," senior Riley Pittman said. "You have to feel bad to feel good; little hardship equals little pleasure."

Stress can help one appreciate better times.

"If I'm stressed about what kind of grades I might get on a test, I do one of two things," Pittman said. "I either study until I feel confident and not stressed, or I tell myself I don't care about these grades. ... [You] don't have to do good, just better than the next guy."

Of course, limiting procrastination is key in controlling stress. The Art of Living also offers ways in dealing with time management and learning how to focus.

"I believe in thinking about your life, reminding yourself that things aren't that bad," Pittman said. "[You] should remember that there will always be a warm place to stay, food to eat,and people to hang out with; life isn't so bad."

What you eat also impacts your moods and stress levels. The Art of Living Club also offers a course on cooking to help prevent that freshmen 15 and to help you lead a healthier lifestyle. After all, healthy body equals healthy mind.

"[On] comfort foods, you shouldn't make a mental connection between food and comfort [or] safety," Pittman said.

Doing so causes you to make a connection between eating and comfort, which could lead to weight gain.

Although, rewarding yourself with some chocolate every now and again isn't bad [HTML_REMOVED] everything should just be in moderation.

"You just have to make time for yourself," Kwan said.

Whether you strive on a little stress or can't handle much, overall it's all about finding the right balance in your life.

"You don't wait for the right time, you make the time right," Carver said.

[Reach reporter Doris Wu at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]