Students and staff are taught to practice relaxation at IDEA Bank

Troy University IDEA Bank partnered with Me Time LLC Clinical Wellness Center to help students relieve stress last Thursday.  

The stress management collaboration allowed students and staff to learn about what stress is, how to deal with stress and the repercussions of stress. 

Morgan Ealy photo

Students and community members sit together to learn about stress, its repercussions and how to manage it inside of Troy's IDEA Bank.

“Most people don’t realize that they’re experiencing any stress at all,” said Toni Ridge, owner of Me Time LLC.  

“I hear on a regular basis, ‘I'm too blessed to be stressed,’ but acknowledging that there is stress is the first step to taking care of it, and I hope that I gave them a couple tools to take the first step.” 

Me Time LLC is a clinical wellness center which offers chiropractic services, massage and aroma therapy, yoga and other wellness services to help relieve stress and physical discomfort. 

“We encourage people, even if they don't practice with us, to have some kind of relaxation practice on a daily basis because life is stressful and everybody can use that little pick me up that comes from having a little me time,” Ridge said.  

“That's where the name came from.  

“By taking care of you, you can take care of not just yourself, but everyone in your circle and everyone that your circle touches. It kind of goes out like a ripple effect.” 

Ridge provided a presentation about the types of stress, how the brain reacts to stress and symptoms to look out for.  

“I think people start acknowledging it when it becomes physical,” Ridge said. “It’s been there mentally for weeks, months, sometimes years before it ever gets acknowledged. 

“We put it on the back burner but once we can’t put it on the back burner, that’s that physical manifestation of stress – tight muscles and lack of range of motion.  

“Doctors will say here’s a muscle relaxer or prescription, but they still don't take care of what caused that physical pain which is the mental stress that we bury.” 

Ridge led students and staff in deep breathing, yoga stretches and aroma therapy using essential oils. These same practices are some of the things at Me Time LLC that have helped people in the community.  

Lynne George, director of Troy University IDEA Bank, shared why she believed it was important to hold an event like this at the IDEA Bank. 

“I have been hearing from students, faculty, staff and people in the community that they just have so much going on and are so stressed out,” George said. “I was hearing that more than I've ever heard in any semester. 

“I thought it would be a really nice change of pace to remind people. We talk a lot about working hard, the sacrifices and how you have to be willing to work 24/7, but we don’t really talk about how it’s important to stop and find ways to take care of your own stress so you don't end up experiencing burnout.” 

There was one tip Ridge shared on how to relieve stress that really resonated with George.  

“I really liked how Toni said that you can take some of your chores that you look at in a stressful way and find a way to make that more of a meditation like when you’re folding clothes or doing dishes,” George said.  

“That was encouraging to me because I feel like I don't have a lot of spare time to do yoga or go get a massage, but I have to sit down and fold clothes so if I just think about that, that might help.” 

George shared another piece of advice about stress she learned from the event.  

“A lot of people don't realize that it will physically harm you,” George said. “It’s not just a mental toughness situation, but it’s this trickledown effect that affects every part of your body. 

“Find something that works for you, whether it’s music, going outside or simple things you can adopt into your everyday life.”  

Crystal Walker, a junior marketing major from Mobile, Alabama, was grateful she attended the event.  

“I think we should do more things like this,” Walker said. “I think it’s really great to highlight problems that people go through but don't necessarily want to talk about.  

“It gives people a sense of OK-ness and a chance to do something that isn't necessarily about school or going to work.” 

Walker shared a few things she does in her free time that help when she’s feeling stressed.  

“I paint sometimes; I sing, and I like to do a lot of online shopping,” Walker said. “The singing and the art definitely help a lot.  

“It’s very calming and therapeutic.” 

Walker shared how this event helped open her eyes and take a look at her personal stress management.  

“I would say my stress management is pretty poor,” Walker said. “I am a transfer student, so it’s been a little stressful trying to adjust and navigate school, looking for jobs, being in clubs and trying to handle that without being too overwhelmed. 

“I said, ‘why not come to this free event that the school is hosting for us so I can get insight on how to handle my stress in a healthy way,’ because there’s plenty of unhealthy ways to handle it, but I want to do it so I can be better in the long run.”