Teen Health

5 Ways to Reduce College Stress

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Don't Cram (Food, That Is)

Yes, a small snack can help replenish your energy during a study session, but it's easy to distract yourself from stress with copious amounts of food, which causes pounds to pile on, which causes more stress -- you get the picture. Instead of chowing down an entire bag of tortilla chips whenever you feel anxious about a project or exam, Lickerman says, distract yourself with a nonfood activity you enjoy. Read your favorite blog or a short magazine article, or click on the TV for some news headlines, or get outside for a quick walk around your dorm building. Your urge for mindless eating should go away so you can return to studying -- without a junk-food break.