April is National Stress Awareness Month, and as we're ending the school year, some healthy stress-coping skills would be helpful to finish off strong! The tips I'll share are widely recognized and proven effective, serving as a reliable resource for anyone facing challenging moments.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ common stressors for high schoolers
Stressors are internal or external factors that lead to stress. Although stressors are personal to each individual, there are common stressors that are widely recognized and there are effective ways to deal with them.
⋆ Lack of Sleep
Sleep deficiency can lead to problems like lack of focus and learning, emotional changes, and decision-making. Teens are more susceptible to lack of sleep for 3 main reasons: hormonal changes, increases in melatonin from screens, and the huge workload many students have.
Although many of these reasons are not preventable, making sure you pause screen time at least 1 hour before you go to bed is always healthy to make you more alert.
More ways to achieve better sleep are exercising and limiting the amount of naps you take throughout the day.
𐙚 Academic Pressures
Learning how to cope with the increasing workload each year is a challenge every high school student needs to go through, and it can be very stressful.
If you feel like work is piling up, NEVER run away from it by distracting yourself (mindlessly scrolling). Take steps one at a time and never be afraid to ask for help.
Although pressure seems like a lot, it is always a good idea to step back. Don't surround yourself with things you consider work: make sure to always give time in your day for a healthy, mindful (off the screen!) and fun activity that you enjoy. An example of something I use is whenever I'm stressed, I always find a reference photo off Pinterest, take out my sketchbook, and start drawing! This helps me distract myself and once I'm done, I'm always more calm and happy.
Doing a mindful activity can reduce burnout and increase overall happiness.
₊˚⊹ Social Pressure
High school is all about learning about who you are and making sure you surround yourself with the right people. If you are ever struggling with relationship or social problems, talk with an adult: parent, teacher, counselor, etc. Speaking with someone outside of your situation who has gone through this stage of life will provide you with a new perspective and good advice.
If you ever feel like the people around you are not supportive or mature, and you overall feel unsafe, never be afraid to start new. People change, and it's totally normal to grow out of someone! Never feel pressured to stay in a situation you want to leave.
♡ Future Plans
Personally, this is one of my main stressors. With high school nearing the end, the pressure of finding a path and passion before college can be daunting. It's very normal to not know what you want to do at this stage in life, so the best thing you can do to figure out your passion is to try out new things! Join a bunch of clubs, try talking to new people, and step out of your comfort zone.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ the five A's of Stress Awareness April
Not all stressors are generalizable: every person deals with different problems they need to deal with. Here are some coping skills that can be used for anything you're going through.
1) Adapt
Make sure to not give in to your stressors. Find an activity to distract yourself for a while, like self-care and self-expression. Practice skills like breathing techniques and meditation to calm your mind.
2) Alter
There are 2 ways to alter your reaction to stress-inducing variables. Firstly, have a good schedule that gives you time for breaks and things you enjoy to avoid burnout. Secondly, make sure you have support: someone to talk to who will give you healthy advice and listen effectively (this person should be an adult).
3) Avoid
If something within your control is stressing you out, you always have the power to avoid it. For example, if comments on Instagram are harming my mental health, I should delete the app for a few days. However, keep in mind not all stressors can and should be avoided.
4) Accept
Always know that everyone has stressors: although they can be minimized, they cannot be completely avoided. Make sure to carry yourself with positive energy and use every time you overcome stress as a learning experience.
5) Active
Make sure to go outside in the sun every day and stay active! Vitamin C improves happiness and exercise improves blood flow to the brain.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ conclusion
Hopefully, these tips will help you deal with your stress! If you ever need extra help, don't be afraid to find a therapist or someone to talk to.