
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995                   TAG: 9508230009
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS                    PAGE: WS-16   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

UNIVERSITIES OFFER GREAT VARIETY OF STRESS RELIEVERS

You just finished your first college exam, you're working on three hours' sleep, and you have two tests tomorrow.

In college, everyone experiences the proverbial "hell week."

The stress induced by higher education eventually catches up to anyone who graces the halls of a college campus. And you don't get used to it.

But before you drown your sorrows in a bottle of Maalox, take heart and consider this stress-management technique: working out. Endorphins produced by a good workout actually help relieve stress and calm a person down.

"It won't prevent stress, but it does help relieve it," said Pat Barrett, a Radford University health teacher. "It can be running, walking or just about anything, but it needs to be something you enjoy doing."

At Virginia Tech's War Memorial Gym, students have basketball, racquetball, squash and handball courts, in addition to a swimming pool and a weight room.

Radford's Dedmon Center features basketball, tennis and racquetball courts. The facility also has a swimming pool and a weight room.

Students have access to what amounts to an extremely nice health club that can offer mental as well as physical benefits.

The only problem is that some students tend not to work out during stressful times, because they are too busy.

"At the beginning of school, we will have numerous students coming in," said Amy Iben, the extramural sports club coordinator at Tech. "As the semester goes on, the number will dwindle, but they usually pick up around Thanksgiving and spring break."

For those students who don't care for solitary workouts, intramural sports provide the chance to release aggression and work toward a goal with teammates. Intramurals range from bowling to basketball, and Tech and Radford have extensive and highly active programs.

If exercising isn't your strong point, don't quit school just yet. Listening to music, reading or playing video games can help relieve stress.

And when times get toughest, there is one universal solution.

"Always enjoy a good belly laugh," Barrett said. "Everybody likes to laugh."

by CNB