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Finals Week: Simple steps to relieve stress

By Anna Gaynor

Get well. Be well. Stay well.

They may be simple statements, but those three short sentences speak volumes about Loyola’s Wellness Center and its philosophy toward students.

From treating flu symptoms to helping students deal with the stresses of college life, the staff at the Wellness Center does a little bit of everything. And it’s that emphasis on all areas of wellness that makes the center such a valuable resource.

“We try to respond to those key issues that we know show up on college campuses,” said Diane Asaro, director of the Wellness Center.

With Finals Week here, we spoke with the experts at the center to get their tips on healthy living.

Strike a balance

While academics are students’ main priority, sometimes even clubs and other activities can pile on the pressure. Dr. Chrisantha Anandappa, a psychiatrist who joined the Wellness Center in August, said students need to find time to take care of themselves.

“I think the easiest answer is really trying to find a balance,” he said.

Making sure to eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise may seem like common sense, Anandappa said, but it’s sound advice for combating anxiety.

Unplug everything

For just an hour each day, turn off your phone, tablet, TV, laptop, and everything else with a battery and give meditation a try.

Researchers have found that meditating can lower stress and create a better sense of well-being, said Dianna Stencel, a social worker at the Wellness Center who leads free meditation classes for students on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus.

“I think it’s a real opportunity to tune out all that technology,” said David deBoer, associate director of the Wellness Center. “And it lets students settle, center, and quiet themselves so that they can be more focused and calm without all the chatter that’s constantly coming at them.”

While 8-week meditation programs are available, Stencel also leads a weekly class for newbies and more practiced meditators on Mondays in the Information Commons. She’s found that students report being less critical of themselves, and they’re better able to handle problems as they come up in their lives.

Talk it out

New students need to realize they can’t anticipate every challenge or surprise they’ll encounter in college, Stencel said. Whether they’re having a hard time picking a major or they’re dealing with a difficult roommate, new students looking for help can find plenty of resources at the Wellness Center.

“We have a Transitions group that is specially geared toward first-year students who are making the adjustment to college for the first time,” deBoer said.

Meeting once a week, it gives freshmen the chance to connect with others who are new to campus and talk about the problems they’re facing. Tivo, Loyola’s very own therapy dog, also makes an appearance at some meetings. (Learn more about the Transitions group.)

Sit, stay, smile

Since arriving on campus in 2012, Tivo has become a minor celebrity across Loyola. The Labrador retriever spends his days at the Wellness Center but makes daily rounds for Talk with Tivo.

“Every single person doesn’t respond to the same approach on everything, so one person’s going to come and see Tivo and that will be where we’re able to engage them in that first initial contact with the Wellness Center,” said Asaro, the Wellness Center’s director.

Tivo’s often accompanied by a human counselor—who’s happy to talk with students—and offers a big help to those who are feeling homesick or overwhelmed. All students are welcome to hang out with Tivo as much as they want, and maybe even give him a hug. (See Tivo in action.)

Meet with your RA

They have more to offer than just directions to the closest dining hall.

Resident assistants are trained to not only help freshmen build connections but to also be there in case they need help, said Stencel, who coordinates education sessions for RAs.

Resident assistants regularly work with Wellness Area Teams, which are made up of counselors from the Wellness Center, Residence Life, and Campus Ministry. Even if your RA isn’t able to address your specific problem, he or she will know someone who does.

Come to the Wellness Center

Sometimes talking to someone can’t address every problem, especially when it relates to mental illness. The two most common issues facing college students are depression and anxiety, said Anandappa, the Wellness Center psychiatrist.

“Finding the balance between someone’s disease symptomatology and their overall wellness and productivity on campus is really the goal of what we’re doing here,” he said.

As the first full-time psychiatrist at the center, Anandappa is in a unique position to help students who are facing more serious struggles. In the case of depression, issues can include a lack of appetite, trouble sleeping, withdrawing from friends, or feeling more angry and irritable.

Students who are dealing with anxiety can start feeling more nervous and worried, Anandappa said. They also avoid certain situations, classes, and people—or just feel like everything is spinning out of control.

Students who are struggling with depression or anxiety should come to the Wellness Center to meet with a health-care professional. (Visit the Wellness Center website for more information.)