Teens - Coping With Stress

What is stress???  Wikipedia defines stress as, "(roughly the opposite of relaxation) a medical term for a wide range of external stimuli, both physiological and psychological." The definition of stress itself can be stressful, but The Wholistic Stress Control Institute reveals that stress can be pleasant or unpleasant depending on your reaction.

Good Stress: when an external stimuli or a change in your regular pattern of activity makes you excited, happy, or surprised, this can be a good stressor. Another example would be when a stress motivates you to do something different or heroic, that could be a good stress. Accomplishing a task can be a pleasant stress.

Bad Stress: Unpleasant stress can occur when a change in external stimuli makes you upset, sad, angry or scared. Bad stress can cause your heart to race, and worry to be on your mind. Like good stressors, unpleasant stress can motivate you to get a task accomplished, but it can also leave you paralyzed in fear if it becomes too overwhelming.

So what can I do? An International Teens and Stress website lists some of the causes of stress and common results of stress when it gets out of hand. Here are a few ideas to reduce the effects of stress and cope with stressors when they arise:

• Avoid Overscheduling - try not to pile too many commitments into your schedule (sports, homework, extra-curricular activities). It is important to be involved in some things, but do not let them become too many things.
• Be Realistic - do not expect yourself to be perfect. If you find you are having trouble and are getting stressed, ask for help.
• Get plenty of rest - getting enough sleep helps your body and mind function at its best.
• Exercise - take a short walk, bike to the park or go outside and shoot some hoops. These activities can give your mind a break from stress and can help you to re-focus your energy.
• Try relaxation - breathe deeply, close your eyes, meditate... take a warm bath, drink a cup of hot tea, or listen to quiet music. These things can help calm your mind before facing a stressful situation.
• Think Optimistically - know that you are going to get through the problem. It may feel stressful for the time being, but you are going to make it.
• One step at a time - when facing a stressor, tackle little goals along the way. Sometimes breaking an assignment or task into parts can help reduce the size of it and the influence it has on your emotions.

For more information on teenage stress see:            "Stress" on teenshealth.com,                                                Family Doctor.org and                                                           36 Biblical Principles to Reducing Stress 

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