It’s not shocking to many that stress is a big part of everyday life. But what might surprise you is CU-Boulder students point to stress as the leading factor impacting academic performance.
“One of the most common signs that you are overly stressed is burn out,” said Matthew Tomatz, a counselor with CU-Boulder’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office. “Being overcommitted is one of the major contributors to stress in students’ lives. If not addressed this can lead students to become disengaged from their normal lives – things like skipping class and commitments that can lead to real academic problems and other issues too.”
Tomatz recommends a few tricks that students can use to help alleviate some of that stress.
“One thing I tell students is to look at your commitments and see if you can really afford the time to do everything,” he said. “If not, it’s probably time to readjust your life and get things back into a balance you can live with.”
Still feeling overwhelmed? CAPS offers several options to students to help deal with stress. Students can attend free individual or group therapy sessions in the CAPS office, C4C, room S440, Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. No appointments are necessary.
“Students often work with counselors to learn to manage stress,” Tomatz said.
Other drop-in services for stress relief available to students, faculty and staff:
- TAI CHI AND HEALTH Mondays, 12-1 p.m., C4C, room S484 (open to students, faculty and staff), Sept. 10 – Nov. 12. Join this drop-in group to learn Tai Chi exercises as a way to release stress, facilitate physical and psychological wellness, and increase a sense of calmness. Facilitator: Franklin.Kim@colorado.edu.
- TAKE A BREAK: MEDITATE Thursdays, 12:15-12:45 p.m., C4C, room S484 (open to students, faculty, staff), Sept. 20 – Dec 13. Pause to take time out of your busy day? Yes-it helps. Join us to breathe and reset. Beginners please arrive 10 minutes early if you would like a brief meditation instruction. Cushions, chairs and silence are provided. Facilitator: Karen.Raforth@colorado.edu.
- FEEL GOODFRIDAYS Fridays, 12:15-12:45 p.m., C4C, JD Abrams Lounge (open to students, faculty and staff), Aug. 31 – Dec. 21. Need a stress break? Want to begin to unwind before your weekend? This group is an opportunity to be led through a powerful guided relaxation to undo your stress, sooth your nervous system, and feel good. Please arrive on time so the relaxation is not disturbed. There will be no late admittance. Facilitator: Matthew.Tomatz@colorado.edu.
- GENERAL COPING SKILLS Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m., C4C, room S440, Sept. 11 – Dec. 4. Feeling stressed, worried, overwhelmed? Come to our coping skills group to learn ways of managing stress and overwhelming feelings so you can get back on track. Facilitator: Lisa.Boyle@colorado.edu.
Counseling and Psychological Services supports students of the CU-Boulder campus community through individual and group counseling, outreach and prevention services. We also invite students, faculty, staff, parents and community members to consult us about any student of concern.
Counseling and Psychological Services is a member of the Health and Wellness Team located within the Division of Student Affairs. Other Health and Wellness team members include the Office of Victim Assistance, Recreation Services, and Wardenburg Health Center.