Quit Stressing Me Out!

Stress is no foreign concept to anyone; everyone knows what it is like to be stressed. Unfortunately, as teenagers are going through pivotal points in their lives, stress becomes common. Adults tend to assume that since a teenager does not share the same responsibilities as them, then it is not possible for them to be truly stressed out. Balancing school, work, relationships, and planning for the future can cause heavier stress than one might think. 

According to the American Psychological Association, only 16% of teens reported that their stress levels have decreased in the past year. While double that percentage have stated that their stress levels increase. Based on these percentages, it can be reasoned that stress can happen to anybody at any age. It is clear that teenagers go through a tougher time than some would like to admit, we need to find the time to identify these stressors and figure out how to deal with them.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines stress as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.” Stress does not have to be just a textbook definition. Stress can affect one through their physical appearance, or it may not affect them at all. There are people out there who deal with stress on a day-to-day basis, although they may not notice it due to a hectic schedule, the stress is still present.

If you are feeling: irritability, constant worry, issues with concentration, or anything that is mentally draining, it is possible that you are stressed. In addition to that, stress can affect someone physically as well. Some physical symptoms of stress include: headaches, insomnia, low energy, chest pain, etc. Combining these symptoms together can change a person’s behavior and appearance drastically. 

Even though there are many symptoms that come with stress, people may not show outward signs of stress. Or they may not realize that they are stressed until there comes a moment where something is completely overwhelming. By implementing a time where teens can destress and figure out how to handle it, their lives will be much easier.

As a senior in high school, stress is my best friend. School just started yet the impending stress that will soon accompany me on my journey of my last year in high school is apparent. Usually what is stressing me is not known to others; stress has never been a breaking point yet. With everything going on between college applications and the coronavirus, stress has slowly invited itself to live rent-free in my head once again. How am I dealing with it currently? I am not. I am choosing to busy myself until the time comes to reflect on my wellbeing.

Writing this article is my way of letting everything out. In the past, my most effective method to battle stress is to sit down and think about it, think of what is stressing me out, ways I could destress myself, the feeling when the tide rolls over. But you do not have to deal with stress the same way as me; there are many different methods to handle stress. 

It is very easy to look up on Google how to deal with stress, but it is difficult to find a method that works for you. Everyone’s body reacts differently to stress, so it is important that we recognize that everyone is not going to handle stress in the same manner. Some common tips to decrease stress include: deep breathing, exercise, taking a minute to think about everything, the list goes on. 

As teenagers, we need to recognize that stress is common for us, we all experience stress through tough times. But the most important thing to remember is that stress does not have to be a forever thing, there are ways you can make your stress go away or at least lessen it, so it is not as overwhelming. 

There are so many ways teens can problem solve when it comes to stress. Simply talking to someone about your feelings can lessen the load, and if you have no one to talk to, then you can always write down your feelings. Do not feel obligated to just “deal with it”, if it is bothering you, then it clearly has some significance to your life. You can figure out a way around it, stress is not a vital component in life.

If there is one thing I learned about stress, it would be that it does not last forever. There will be points in our lives where things are completely overwhelming, and we do not know what to do about it. It is unfortunate that such a large number of teenagers with stress choose to ignore it until it is not possible any longer. We need to make it a necessity to step back and deal with those stressors because overall it is detrimental to our overall health. Remember to take care of yourselves because stress is something anybody can overcome.
~ Camille
Sometimes when you cannot deal with the stress, it is helpful to take your mind off it for a little while. Here are some websites to maintain stress levels:
·      xhlar.com (This simplistic website with aid you in breathing exercises)
·      relaxonline.me.uk (This website provides step-by-step instructions on how to soothe your irritations from stress)
·      gozen.com (Adults are not the only people to deal with stress. This site targets kids ages 5-15, and teaches them how to manage stress)
·      Lyftly (Free app you can download on your mobile device. The main audience is teenagers so you will have a chance to interact with people your age going through similar situations.)
 

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