Active Minds

National Stress Øut Day is designed to provide a pre-finals stress reliever and to educate and provide students with information about stress management, anxiety and related disorders at the end of the spring semester.  This year, Active Minds partnered with OCD Chicago, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) to bring National Stress Øut Day to over 105 campuses. Check back here soon for the 2011 date!

What's Involved              Anxiety Disorders              Stress Busters

What's Involved 

Participating Active Minds chapters receive event, planning and infrastructure support from the Active Minds National Office, a list of suggested events, flyers, a sample Op-Ed, a sample donation request letter, Active Minds, Inc. giveaways and more.   Participating chapters table on campus with materials from Active Minds, their college or university Counseling Center, and resources from OCD Chicago, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the National Institute of Mental Health. Other supported events include:

• Screamfest, in which students around the nation scream at the same time to release stress for upcoming finals;
• Oasis in the Library, in which the Active Minds chapter organizes food and drinks, games and puzzles, massages, aromatherapy, and/or any other stress relieving activities in the campus library during the campus study period;
• Recess when Active Minds chapters organize kickball, dodgeball, 4-square, jump rope and hula hoop games on the campus quad. 

When?

National Stress Øut Day falls each year around finals time on college campuses. The 5th annual National Stress Øut Day was April 12-16, 2010.  

Want More Information?

For more information about National Stress Øut Day, contact: Sara Abelson, Program Director at Active Minds (sara@activeminds.org).

If you're an Active Minds chapter member looking for more information, don't forget to log-in to have access to all program materials and resources.  

Anxiety Disorders

So what is an anxiety disorder and who can have one?

The term "anxiety disorder" refers to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia), and specific phobias.

Anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable conditions that:

• more than 40 million American men and women are diagnosed with annually.
• almost seven percent of college students report having symptoms.
• can occur at any age but often will surface during a person's teens or twenties
• are twice as likely to occur in women as men

Researchers are learning that anxiety disorders run in families, and that they have a biological basis, much like allergies or diabetes and other disorders. Anxiety disorders may develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events. 

Normal anxiety or an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is hardwired into all of our brains. It is part of the body's "fight or flight" response. This prepares us to act quickly in the face of danger. It is a normal response to situations of uncertainty, trouble or feeling unprepared. However, if common everyday events bring on severe and persistent anxiety or panic that interferes with life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Treating Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment. Up to 90%of people who obtain proper care from a health professional will recover and go on to life full and productive lives.

For more information on where to get help and how to help a friend, visit our Get Help page.

Stress Busters

Whether you have normal anxiety or an anxiety disorder, these strategies will help you manage stress: 

• Exercise. Physical activity help your body and mind. Go to the gym. Take a jog. Go for a walk. Do yoga. Play Frisbee. Just get moving!
• Eat a balanced diet. Don't skip meals. Try to eat from all of the food groups and try to stay away from caffeine (minimize soda or coffee). Caffeine can trigger anxiety and panic attacks.
• Limit alcohol and stay away from illegal drugs. Alcohol and drugs aggravate anxiety and can also cause panic attacks.
• Get involved. Being active in the community creates a support network and gives you a break from your everyday stress.
• Do your BEST instead of trying to be PERFECT. We all know perfection isn't possible, so be proud of however close you get.
• Take a time out. Take a deep breath and count to 10. Stepping back from the problem lets you clear your head. Do yoga. Meditate. Get a massage. Learn relaxation techniques. Listen to music.
• Put things in perspective. Think about your situation. Ask yourself whether it's really as bad as you think it is or if you could be blowing it out of proportion.
• Talk to someone. Don't let things bottle up to the verge of explosion. Reach out to your roommate, boyfriend, girlfriend or counselor of you're feeling low.
• Find out what triggers your anxiety. Take notes or write in a journal when you're feeling anxious or stressed, an then look for patterns.

2009 National Stress Øut Day Slideshow

More than 75 Active Minds chapters took part in the 4th annual National Stress Øut Day.  Our students brought stress-relief programs and anxiety education to their peers just when the pressure and stress of finals was catching up with students. You can see some pictures from National Stress Øut Day Spring, 2009 below: