Your stomach is in knots, your nerves are shot and you have not slept in what seems like an eternity.

It's final examination week and for a majority of students, it is a time of tremendous stress. But instead of letting it consume every ounce of energy you have left, check out the resources the UA Student Health Center offers.

"It's stressful and we all know it is," said Maria Teresa Velez, director of Counseling and Psychological Services. "That's why we're here to help out."

Velez said that during finals a lot of students seek guidance from the center's counselors and participate in a relaxation group held Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor. The center also offers a small library where students can relax, meditate and listen to breathing tapes.

Some symptoms of stress are heart palpitations, anxiety, headaches and difficulty making decisions, Velez said.

"It's a normal reaction to an abnormal situation," Velez said. "We're not in finals all year long."

Margaret Ford, a religious studies senior, said that she takes Tai Chi, a form of martial arts, to help her relieve stress. But during finals, she said lack of sleep and proper nutrition lowers her immune system and her body's natural ability to fight the tension.

"Sometimes I get so stressed out, I get sick and run down," Ford said.

She said she prepared in advance for her four finals and that cramming is a waste of time.

"All the work you've done this semester, you just flush," Ford said. "Plus I get too stressed out and I go blank."

Velez offered some suggestions for students who want to handle stress on their own, without the assistance of CAPS:

--Exercise.
--Do not drink alcohol, because it interferes with the mind's ability to think and remember.
--Take study breaks.
-- Eat regular meals.
-- Get the proper amount of sleep because it helps you to remember and organize studied material.
--Take "cat" naps.
--Organize study material as best as you can.

If all else fails, remember that "this too shall pass," Velez said.

"Remind yourself that you've done it before; you can do it again," Velez said. "Do your best and keep things in perspective."