I decided to post this blog to help those who read it since many of us are busy with school or work and tend to get stressed so easily to the point that we start to stress about the unneccessary small stuff, such as worrying about what a friend thinks of you. What I have learned through my experiences in returning back to Weber State in the fall semester is that stress is really something you put on yourself and you can choose to be stressed about a particular situation or not. I made sure I wasn't stressed by not only taking 4 classes worth 11 credit hours, I determined that I needed a balance in my life and I made sure I added LDS Institute of Religion classes and I was part of a Campus Connection Committee that has really blessed me in my life with the Spirit and great friends whom I can talk with and associate with. I started learning about the "grand scheme of things" idea, which helped me a lot to distinguish between what to really be stressed about and what not to be stressed out about. The best stress to feel is constructive stress, which motivates us to change and to avoid the destructive stress that only tears us down and limits our potential. Here's how my "Grand Scheme" test works. When a stressful situation comes up, think about that situation for a few minutes and ask yourself, "How will that particular situation happen if I acted or don't act upon it," If the stress is based from a minor source such as video games or feeling irritated by siblings, then it's mostly destructive stress, avoid it at all costs. If you were thinking about a major source of stress, such as getting your college classes paid for and how that decision would affect your future, then it's neccessary to feel constructive stress knowing that if you get that task done today, you'll have greater peace tommorrow. Natural stress only happens for a short time, usually, but don't make it more painful by adding more distractions to that natural stress. By following these tips, you'll have greater happiness in your life.
Words by Austen Snow
