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By Dr. Kel Lee Cutrell, Associate Director of Student Counseling

According to the "Best Colleges" survey conducted in April 2021, 45% of college students reported an increase in anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. While most students rely heavily on peer support to manage emotions, it has been difficult to accomplish this during the last two years. This decrease in support networks has affected academic success among other areas of students' lives.

This is being shown through lack of student engagement in class, difficulty making friends, difficulty completing assignments, difficulty in attending class, and difficulty maintaining a required GPA. Students are also experiencing increased anxiety due to fears and concerns about loved ones' health and safety.

When one aspect of our routine is altered, such as adjusting to online learning and physical distancing, it is possible that it will have a snowball effect, if not managed. This can then alter many other aspects such as sleep routines, exercise, socialization, and eating habits. Anxiety can keep us from fully embracing life. We tend to avoid people, situations and opportunities when we allow anxiety to dictate our lives.

In the previous Nigel Cares article, we explored symptoms of anxiety and ways to recognize them. Below is a list of ways to help you address and manage those symptoms if and when you find yourself experiencing some of them:

• Deep breath: Slowly inhale for 4 counts (1-4), hold for 7 counts (1-7), then slowly exhale for 10 counts (1-10).
• Exercise: Cardio workouts for a minimum of 20 minutes more days than not has been proven to help reduce anxiety.
• Take a social media break.
• Take a break from news.
• Reduce caffeine intake.
• Drink ice-cold water.
• Establish a well-balanced and nutritious meal plan.
• Talk to a friend and socialize in person, but if you cannot do this in person, then speak online.
• "Name it to tame it": Scientific research shows that when you name an emotion the part of the brain responsible for that emotion immediately calms down.
• Use grounding: Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
• Set and keep a daily routine.
• Get out in nature.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Use Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û resources such as Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Student Counseling and .
• Use ! Every currently enrolled student has a free membership.
• Student Counseling is offering a workshop titled "Managing Anxiety" at 2 p.m. March 29. It will be held in Meeting Room 3 in the Student Center on Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Gainesville Campus. You can call 678-717-3660 or register on Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Connect to reserve your seat or drop in at the designated location.