A presentation from the Counseling Center is aimed at helping students relieve any stress they might encounter as the time for final exams approaches.

Cara Pschirrer, a member of the Counseling Centerstaff, will give a presentation titled “Stress Relief” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Effingham Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Pschirrer received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Illinois State University and received a master’s in counseling from Eastern.

In her second year at the Counseling Center and only recently removed from student life, she chose the early December date to help students cope with what she called “test anxiety.”

Pschirrer said if students got the anxious feeling out of their stomachs before tests, they would be able to focus better. However, she admitted the ploy would not necessarily guarantee a better test grade.

Pschirrer, who said she wants an interactive crowd, will first hand out a personal stress survey. Then she will teach the audience progressive muscle relaxation exercises.

She described the exercise by using the example of a person tightening his or her fist for 10 seconds and then releasing with the relaxed feeling being a way to relieve stress.

Other body parts, such as the chest, arms and buttocks also will have similar exercises. Also, she said she will teach audience members breathing exercises.

Aside from the muscle relaxation method, Pschirrer said other ways exist to relieve stress. By eating healthier and exercising, people are better accustomed to cope with stress, she said.

Pschirrer’s presentation will be the Counseling Center’s final one of the semester.