Managing Academic Stress with Meditation Apps

Getting back to school can be stressful as you begin to think about getting good grades and applying for college. Don’t let that stress get you down! Different types of stress management work for different people, and you should find what works best for you.  

Stress management includes all of the things you may be doing when you feel stressed. Some people use positive coping strategies, which will help you handle your stress better in the long run, while other people use negative coping strategies. Negative coping strategies are a problem because, while you may feel relief from stress temporarily, the relief usually doesn’t last long and the stress usually returns. Negative coping strategies include procrastination, using drugs or alcohol, or binge eating.

Today we want to share some tips for a positive coping strategy for handling stress: Meditation! Meditation can be intimidating if you have never done it before, but you will be surprised by how easy it is once you practice. Meditating is an excellent way to practice mindfulness–being aware of how you respond to the world around you will help you control your reactions when things may get stressful. People who meditate are more mindful, less stressed, more relaxed, and all of these things make them healthier in the long run!

Here are a few apps you can download today to start practicing meditation:

• Insight Timer is one of the most popular free meditation apps. They have over 4,000 guided meditations!
• Aura will give you a new, personalized, 3-minute meditation every single day. Starting with one short meditation every day is a great way to begin your journey with meditation.
• Stop, Breathe, and Think is great for beginners who don’t know much about meditation and mindfulness. The app also tracks your progress, which will keep you motivated.