Preventing stress among young people

Abstract

The article analyzes the conditions that contribute to the formation of a healthy lifestyle in universities, as well as the level of stress faced by students in everyday life. The author conducted a survey of students of technical, medical and pedagogical universities in 2022. As part of the research, a testing was conducted on students using the “Inventory of Stress Symptoms” questionnaire by T. Ivanchenko, and the “Determination of Nervous-Mental Stress” questionnaire by T. Nemchin. It was found that one-third of the students (from a medical university) constantly experience psychological and emotional stress, in contrast to students from a technical university, where a gender imbalance is observed. Girls from a technical university are more anxious than young men. At the pedagogical university, young students are more susceptible to anxiety than female students. It was revealed that young men, more than girls, experience constant stress due to material difficulties. Students who are not involved in physical activity and do not systematically play sports tend to have low self-esteem, are not satisfied with themselves or the results of their studies, have high rates of loneliness. It has also been established that girls are less likely than boys to engage in sports. Students who do not lead a healthy lifestyle are more prone to distress and suffer from various psychosomatic illnesses. Most students (not from medical universities) have not developed the habit of taking responsible care of their health. Physically active students seek less direct healthcare services throughout the year. A developed sports infrastructure at universities allows students to relieve stress, expand social networks, and not feel lonely. In universities where walking and cycling among students are encouraged and provided for, there are fewer students with harmful habits. Girls engage in sports to improve their external attractiveness, socializing, and expanding socially significant connections. Events aimed at involving student youth in sports and a healthy lifestyle are proposed. In particular, the use of experience from RUDN university, where coworking spaces (comfort zones) have been created, providing students with the opportunity to relax, gain useful information, socialize with friends, and cope with tension or stress.