Between school, extracurricular activities and socializing, it is incredibly common to feel overwhelmed. You are not alone, and this is why the university offers a multitude of services you should take advantage of. . Managing stress proactively is important, and there are a ton of options for how to do so. Judging by the crowds at Strom and the popularity of their group exercise classes, it seems that a large number of students use exercise as their outlet for stress control, but that is only one technique.
The Byrnes counseling center is an incredible resource in which all students are eligible for 12 free counseling sessions per year at. Speaking with a psychologist or counselor outside of school is expensive, so taking advantage of this is a valuable benefit if you ever need someone to talk to. Several therapy groups are available, too. Most of these focus on specific issues like body image or anxiety and provide a place to talk with others who are going through the same thing as you.
One new group that began this year offers guided relaxation and is a more informal group that would benefit absolutely anyone. It is perfect for students who are not necessarily experiencing severe issues, but want to prevent stress from becoming a problem. You don’t have to attend every week or make any type of commitment.
I decided to check it out and found it to be an awesome experience. It was not crowded at all; in fact, I was one of only a few people there. The group takes place in room 617 of the Byrnes building, formerly known as the beanbag room. Although the rainbow beanbags are now gone, the room is still conducive to relaxation. It is small and warm. At the start of the session, I was given a yoga mat to lie on and the lights were turned off. The instructor’s voice was very calming, perfect for this. If you have ever been to a yoga class and experienced the instructor ending the class by having you lay in the dark and relax each body part, you have probably gotten comfortable and felt disappointed when the lights turned back on mere minutes after you get into that place of peace. This group is like a longer version of that guided relaxation, and it really will allow you to clear your thoughts. I left the group feeling incredibly calm.
The group meets on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., and lasts for about an hour. It is a perfect way to close out a week of stress and begin a relaxing weekend. The Byrnes building is located directly across from the Horseshoe on the corner of Sumter and College Street. Stress is nothing to hide, and managing it is the only way to keep it from becoming a problem. Even if you don’t feel overwhelmed, a routine that includes de-stressing is what will allow you to continue enjoying life in Columbia.