by Ziad Rashdan

Whether it is their first semester at Nevada or last, and anything in between, every student faces the same challenge – coping with stress. Each of us has our own techniques to handle it; while some find effective and useful strategies, others often engage in activities that cause more damage than benefit.

My hope is that this column will provide you an outlet to discover the best and most healthful ways to deal with your stress by exploring different avenues of handling stress and giving you a system of support so you may handle your stress in a healthy manner.

One form that has helped individuals for thousands of years is meditation. There are many forms of meditation, not just the stereotypical idea of sitting on a yoga mat chanting “om.”

Other forms of meditation include mental visualization and religious prayers among many others. A technique that I have found to be effective and simple for myself as well as any beginner is simply to find a quiet place and focus on your breathing.

This is not easy, especially in our plugged-in age. However, you might find clarity of mind if you just turn off your phone and focus.

Inhale your breath, feel the oxy- gen fill up your chest and allow your body to take in the moment. It is important that you continue that process uninterrupted to feel your focus. For someone who is just starting, aim for five minutes; as you get more comfortable and it seems easier, add more time as you see fit.

This process takes commitment, and if you want to see improvement in your mental health try to do it at least once a day.

Experiment and play around with the different techniques; the important thing is identifying what works best for you as an individual.

Ziad Rashdan studies business. He can be reached at dcoffey@unr.edu.