Positive Stress Management

Julia and Putja, seniors at UCSB, shared their experiences with the many ways in which people can cope with stress, both positively and negatively. Each told a story about people that they knew and cared about who responded to stressful situations, such as going to college, by using drugs or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol have a physical effect on the brain, and using once or twice can easily become an addiction, said both Julia and Putja. Finding constructive ways to deal with life’s stresses, such as running or rock climbing, is an important step in avoiding the pitfalls of chronic alcohol and drug abuse which is so prevalent in college students.