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"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." —Buddha

As we step into Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it’s a timely chance to slow down and check in with ourselves and our mental well-being. In a world where news updates are constant and our phones never stop chiming, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. For students, stress can become a constant background noise as they juggle academics alongside life’s many roles.

But here’s the good news: Stress doesn’t have to control the story if we look at stress not as something to fear but as a signal—a moment to pause, learn, and grow. 

Spotting Stress in 2025: What’s Weighing Us Down

Stress is not always associated with a big event. Rather, it can be brought on by the accumulation of many small things. These days, it seems there are more things that induce stress than ever before, such as 

• Constant digital noise: The ever-present buzz in our modern world—checking our email, scrolling social media, or the constant ding of our apps—can make us more prone to digital stress. 

• Multiple roles: Each of us has many roles in life, and sometimes these roles conflict and overlap in their tug for our attention. Stress can arise from the continual negotiating we do to manage our multiple roles.

• Economic uncertainty: There are often multiple financial concerns in our lives that can add to our stress levels. We can experience an increase in stress during times of economic uncertainty and change, both personally and in the world.

• Deadlines and workload: Stress can arise from the challenges of completing coursework, submitting assignments on time, and meeting other deadlines necessary to maintaining our grades.

• Identity transition: Life’s changes, even the positive ones (like starting college, moving to a new city or home, or becoming a parent), can be a source of stress as we navigate our personal growth and transition. 

How Stress Shows Up: Body, Mind & Core Self

Stress doesn’t just impact how we feel but also affects how we function.

Stress can have a significant physical impact on us, and being aware of the changes doesn’t make us weak, it makes us wise.

Cultural Layers: How Our Background Shapes Stress

The ways in which one perceives and reacts to stress are unique to each individual and are shaped by one's background, culture, and life experiences. At University Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), we provide safe spaces to explore how social expectations, stereotypes, and other influences can impact our experiences of stress.

Each of us has a different journey, and understanding that is key. The more identities and roles we balance, the more stress we might feel, but the goal is not to blame; it's to understand and grow. UMGC is committed to helping students build self-awareness, offering tools to cope with the pressures they face.   

Real-World Tools: Managing Stress in 2025

At t ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, we know that stress is an unavoidable reality of life, but some tips and tools can help to make stress more manageable. Here are a few stress-relief tools that you can begin using right away:

• Be proactive: Don’t wait for burnout to occur. Have tools in place before you need them, and know your boundaries. (self respect) 

• Practice mindfulness and meditation: Just a few quiet minutes a day can reset your nervous system. You don’t need to close your eyes and go deep to be mindful. Mindfulness is bringing your attention to the present moment. You can do mindful meditation while you walk, eat, or sit, simply noticing what your five senses are experiencing. (self calming)

• Eat to nourish: Choose whole foods when you can. Your brain and gut will thank you. Nutrition is not a restriction. (self compassion) 

• Move your body: Walk, stretch, dance—whatever gets you out of your head and into motion. (self motion) 

• Breathe deeply: Conscious breathing calms your system and shifts your mindset to reset. (self reset)

• Protect your sleep: Create a routine. Put your phone away before bed. Rest is a type of recovery. (self unwind)

• Create and play: Music, painting, cooking, gardening—make space for joy. (self matters)

• Connect: Reach out to someone. A friend, a mentor, a peer group. You don’t have to do this alone, do it together. (self reconnect) 

• Manage your time: Learn and practice good time management skills. Use a calendar app, divide lengthy projects into smaller steps, set a schedule for yourself and stick to it, and minimize distractions. (self management) 

• Create your environment: Carve out a quiet, clean, dedicated space that creates an inviting learning/working environment. Try soft lighting, calming music, or a few personal touches to make the space feel safe and inspiring. (self connecting)

• Ask for support: Whether it’s time management, counselling, tutoring, or just a listening ear, help is a strength. (self healing) 

• Find what grounds you: Nature, prayer, silence, music, laughter. You can find ways to anchor yourself in what brings peace. (self grounding)

If you’re a student at t ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, you can find additional wellness resources that can help you manage and cope with your stress.

You’re Not Just Learning—You’re Growing 

As we move through May and into the year ahead, this is your chance, not just to think about mental well-being, but to actively take charge of it. Design a stress management plan that works for your own unique needs. Learning the importance of self-care can help you build resilience, transforming how you perceive and respond to stress. 

At t ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, we understand that learning isn’t just about books and deadlines; it’s also about helping students build skills to support mental and emotional well-being—one chapter at a time. UMGC offers the flexibility of self-paced online and hybrid learning options and an array of student services, all designed to empower you to tackle stress as you advance your education in a way that fits your life. 

As you continue your journey, remember: We are the authors of our own wellness story. Make it a story of self-respect, self-care, and self-love.