There’s good new and there’s bad news. The bad new is, stress is a part of life. There’s no way to avoid it. The good news is, there are ways to deal with it.
Get enough sleep. Did you know that many teens are sleep deprived? Experts say that most teenagers need at least nine hours of sleep each night in order to be well-rested and healthy, but only about one in ten actually gets that much. Between school, work, family, extra-curricular activities, and a social life, it’s hard to find time for that much sleep. Make an effort, though. It’s worth it.
Eat healthy. Junk food (potato chips, candy bars, soft drinks) actually robs you of energy. It gives you an initial rush by increasing your blood sugar quickly, but just as quickly, your blood sugar will drop. You’ll feel better and have more energy if you eat fresh fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. When you need a little pick-me-up, instead of reaching for a candy bar or a Mountain Dew, try a slice of pizza or some peanut butter crackers. Carbohydrates and protein will work better than sugar and caffeine.
Exercise regularly. If you play sports or take gym class, you may already be getting enough exercise. If not, make an effort to be more physically active. Exercise is a great way to let off steam and reduce stress. When you exercise your brain produces endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel good.
Buy and use a daily planner. You’ll keep track of all you have to do and won’t have to worry about forgetting any important projects. You’ll be able to make the best use of your time by planning ahead. Using a planner will also help you focus on the most important stuff.
Stop procrastinating. Putting things off only leads to more stress later. Using a daily planner can help with this.
Make sure to include fun things in your schedule. Put them in your planner along with all the other stuff you have to do.
Schedule quiet time for yourself. Give yourself regular time for relaxing by yourself. Just a few minutes a day will make a difference.
Spend time around positive people, people who make you feel good about yourself. Avoid people who put you down or leave you feeling unhappy.
Don’t keep things inside. Find positive ways to express your feelings. Talk to friends. Write in a journal. Draw.
Learn what things you can control and what things you can’t. Control those things you can, and accept those things you can’t. You can’t control your algebra teacher, but you can control whether or not you do your homework. You can’t control your mom, but you can control whether or not you follow the rules at home.
It takes time to develop good stress management habits. It takes practice and perseverance. It’s okay to take it one step at a time. The good new is, these are skills that will last you a lifetime.
