How to cope with stress

Stress surrounds students. Whether it is from homework, tests, or after-school activities, teenagers can easily get overwhelmed while juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. Learning how to deal with stress in a positive manner is important.

Events that provoke stress are called stressors, which can be anything from minor hassles to major life changes, or both. Teens deal with school pressure, career decisions, dating, friendships and crammed schedules. According to “USA Today,” 59 percent of teens report that trying to manage their time to balance all activities is a “somewhat” or “very significant” stressor.

Stress can also cause problems such as upset stomachs, headaches, elevated blood pressure and insomnia. Thirty-two percent of teens say they experience headaches because of stress and 26 percent report changes in sleeping habits.

Stress that continues without relief can lead to distress. Distress is a type of stress caused by extreme anxiety, pain and sorrow. According to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, long-term stress can weaken the immune system and make an adolescent feel depleted.

The first step in learning how to cope with stress is recognizing it. Learning to solve little everyday problems can provide a sense of control. Avoiding them can add to stress and make teenagers feel like they have little control.

Regular exercise and healthy eating can also help manage stress. Although excessive or compulsive exercise can contribute to stress, it should be used in moderation. Eating well can also help the body get the nutrients and vitamins it needs, since it is easy to eat junk food or fast food while stressed.

Learning how to relax with meditation and breathing exercises is known to help control stress. And finally seeking help from a friend or counselor can help alleviate the problem.

Patti Seitz, the youth contact counselor at Glencoe, helps students with various issues such as stress and helps guide them through it.

“It is really important to be aware that students who are stressed come talk to a counselor. Talk about it. Don't handle it by yourself,” Seitz said.

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