By CAMMIE BAGLEY

Staff Writer

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues that college students face. They usually stem from the stress of having to juggle school, a job, a sport, hanging with friends, learning to live on your own and planning for the rest of your life. 

Common symptoms of anxiety include: exaggerated worrying, expecting bad things to happen or becoming over concerned with things such as a test or assignment without reason for any of it.

 When dealing with anxiety, it’s common for one to cry without reason, have difficulty breathing, have their chest tighten up or have stomach pains due to the stress. 

Although anxiety is a mental struggle, it can begin to affect you physically if it becomes a strong enough issue in your life. It’s a very downward spiral once you begin to experience it. It can start affecting small things and end up being apparent in your everyday life. 

When anxiety takes over, it’s easy to be lead into a dark place and maybe even depression, eventually. That’s why it’s important to keep a check on your mental health, and if you identify with these symptoms that accompany anxiety, you should be proactive in trying to cope with them.

 Here are some tips on getting your anxiety under control: 

*Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep.

*Adjust your diet, if need be.

*Manage your stress by getting organized and being timely.

*Get outside for some fresh air.

*Do something that makes you happy that doesn’t relate to what is causing you stress.

*Try to learn some calming breathing techniques.

*Remove anyone from your life who isn’t being positive that could add to your stress.

*Avoid consuming drugs or alcohol to cope with the way you’re feeling.

If you are doing all you can and nothing changes, it could be a good idea to talk to someone or seek medical help. 

There is no shame in asking for support. Piedmont offers the service of a counselor, Evonne Jones whose office is located in the Lane Student Center. If you aren’t comfortable talking with her, talk to a professor that you trust or a parent.

 There are so many resources available to take advantage of that can help deal with any sort of anxiety. Make sure that you are maintaining your mental health so that your college experience is all that it should be.