Being a teen can be stressful. There are often external pressures from school, social circles, extracurriculars and family, along with self-induced pressures. Here are some tips and tricks to help manage this stress.
Understand Stress
Stress is the body’s response to challenges or tough situations. Our bodies can respond in physical ways to help us prepare for stressful circumstances by increasing our heart rate, temporarily boosting our energy levels and allowing blood flow to our muscles. These biological responses are helpful in some instances when we are under pressure or in dangerous circumstances. Sometimes stress can be long-lasting which can be hard on our bodies and on our psyche.
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Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Stress
Signs and symptoms of long term stress issues can include:
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Eating too much or eating too little
- Unprovoked crying
- Emotional ups and downs
- Lack of energy
- Inability to concentrate
- Headaches or stomach aches
- Panic attacks
If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or in another, this might be a sign of stress and it may be time to take action.
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Tips for Coping With Existing Stress
If you or someone you know is experiencing stress, here are some tips to reduce it:
- Exercise regularly. This will release endorphins and produce feelings of positivity.
- Eat well.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol or drugs, as stimulants can increase heart rate and induce anxiety.
- Decrease negative self-talk. Try encouraging yourself or writing down positive thoughts.
- Take a break for some fun. Sometimes it’s tempting to push through to a deadline if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. But be sure to treat yourself to fun and enjoyable activities as well to create balance.
Tips for Reducing Stress
Ideally, you will learn to reduce stress in your life so that you have to cope with it less. Here are some tricks you can try to accomplish that:
- Develop healthy eating and sleeping patterns.
- Build a regular exercise routine.
- Learn relaxation techniques (try deep breathing, meditation or yoga).
- Build a support system of friends or family and learn how to ask for help.
- Develop and practice assertiveness. Learn to say and mean “no” when you need to.
- Go easy on yourself. Often times the most pressure we feel comes from ourselves. Learn to appreciate your own strengths and accomplishments.
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