STRESS-FREE ZONE; GLENDALE COLLEGE OFFERS STUDENTS RELAXATION TIPS.

Byline: Nathan Greely Staff Writer

Stressed-out college students got a chance to relax Tuesday at Glendale Community College's ``Stress Free Zone.''

Some 15 booths were set up in San Rafael Plaza to provide information and services for stress reduction, ranging from massage therapy to aromatherapy and nutritional counseling.

Maureen McNeely, a registered nurse at the GCC Health Center, explained that often students are some of the most stressed people around.

``Many students here are single parents, juggling jobs, families and classwork, and they don't know the proper way to deal with stress,'' McNeely said.

Often people cope with a busy lifestyle by smoking and eating fast food, which can aggravate stress-related illnesses. Some of the main risks related with stress are high blood pressure, kidney failure, stroke, and lowered immune response. There are, however, many simple ways to combat stress and stress-related illnesses.

Dr. Mary Mirch, the assistant dean of health services who first came up with the Stress Free Zone recommends deep breathing as one of the best ways to relieve stress.

``When you don't take deep breaths, it contributes to that anxious feeling associated with stress. Often people feel more stressed during allergy season, simply because they aren't breathing correctly.''

Many other methods of stress reduction were demonstrated at the event, including hypnotherapy and aromatherapy, which uses pleasant aromas to soothe the mind and body.

Glendale Community College offers some courses aimed at reducing stress, including tai chi, an art designed to relax the mind and body through deep breathing and slow, controlled movement. Student David Fall uses tai chi to deal with his stressful schedule.

``As a returning student who also works, college can often be more difficult for me than for students who are continuing right out of high school,'' Fall said. ``I usually get the most stressed out before exams, so I do tai chi before the test, and I find it helps me relax and concentrate.''

The most important part of stress reduction is recognizing when you are stressed, and taking the time to do something about it.

``Often I will ask patients, When was the last time you did something for yourself? said Mirch. ``They just look at me blankly, because they are often too busy to think about their own health. Hopefully, the Stress Free Zone will help raise awareness about stress and health consciousness in general.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo: (1) Jamie Sullo from the Myrtle Tree Holistique Health Cliniq ue massages student Abul Kalam at Glendale Community College.

(2) Hand massages are one of the stress reduction techniques demonstrated.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer