Going to school, doing homework, working after school, completing college applications, joining clubs, doing chores, helping parents, and watching siblings are just a few of the things that many teens have to do everyday. With all this and more going on in your life, it is no surprise that you may feel stressed from time to time. In fact, 39% of American teens report feeling stress during a normal day (Fitzgerald, 2004).

Stress doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Some stress can be good because it can challenge you, give you energy and drive, and push you to develop new skills to deal tough situations. However, if the stress becomes too much, it can cause all sorts of problems. Stress can have physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, sleeplessness, sweating, and fatigue. Excessive stress can also cause emotional issues such as causing you to feel out of control, angry, hostile, and depressed. With all the possible problems that come along with being overly stressed, it is important that you learn healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.

Some tips for relieving stress:

  • Take time out—Take a step away from the stressful situation and take some deep breathes or close your eyes and picture something you enjoy.
  • Work out—Exercising releases feel good hormones, endorphins that help your body release stress and relax.
  • Let go—You can’t control everything so don’t worry about the things you have no power over, like traffic or the weather.
  • Plan—Manage your time so that you can break big projects or goals into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed when deadlines approach.
  • Have fun!—Set aside some time to do things you enjoy with out worrying about all you have on your plate.
  • Talk to someone—Express your feelings to someone you trust or write in a journal. Remember your counselor is there to help you with the problems or worries you may have in or out of school.

Fitzgerald, N. (2004). Maximum pressure. Scholastic Choices, 20(1). August 1, 2007