There are things you can do to avoid some stress, such as establishing good eating and sleeping patterns, getting organized and planning ahead, and communicating with family and friends. There are many good reasons to make wise lifestyle choices. Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising (all those things your parents, teachers, and doctors tell you to do) will help keep you physically healthy. These are also just the kinds of things that can help you to avoid stress, reduce stress, and cope with stress. If you are in good physical shape when you experience stress, your stress may have […]

When you are striving to cope with stress, two factors are important: You need warm and supportive relationships with family and friends, and you need to talk. However, when you are under stress, whether it’s from a disaster or other problems, you may not want to talk to anyone or be with anyone. You need to recognize the benefits of talking to family and friends. Just expressing feelings helps to reduce stress. Through talking, you learn that you are not alone, that you don’t have to solve every problem by yourself. You discover that others have faced similar problems and […]

This little book helps you to develop a lifestyle that better fits what you would describe as your ‘perfect life’ With many goal setting ideas and life organization strategies, there’s something for everyone. At the very least, it offers a useful and entertaining read; used to the fullest, its many practical ideas can help you develop a happier and less stress-free lifestyle. What’s more, if you’re busy, stressed and feel that it’s almost impossible to find quiet time to meditate every day, you’re in luck: you can learn to meditate anywhere you are, and get things done while you do […]

You can help yourself when you help others. Be a volunteer in your community—at the community center, with the park district, or at your local hospital, for example. Volunteer work has many advantages. It gives you a chance to think about something other than the events that are causing you stress; it builds your self-esteem because you are helping people in need and in your community; and it can keep you from getting bored. When you volunteer, you meet new and interesting people and make new friends. You can learn new things. Volunteer work can have a more practical side, […]

Besides eating right and getting enough sleep, try to include some exercise in your daily routine. Take part in individual sports, such as jogging, swimming, bike riding, or walking, or participate in team sports after school. Play basketball or baseball with friends in the neighborhood, or just throw around a Frisbee. Outdoor activities could also include mowing the lawn or gardening. You can do aerobics or yoga by yourself, with friends, or at your local park district or community center. “My friends couldn’t believe it when I went out for track, but it was the best thing I ever did,” […]

The effects of stress show how your mind and your body work together. Stressful situations can lead to a variety of physical problems, including headaches, dizziness, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, tense muscles, anxiety, and skin disorders. If you treat your body appropriately, you can reduce the effects of stress on your body. Because stress can lower your body’s resistance to disease, you are more susceptible to illness when you have stress. That’s why it is so important to take good care of yourself by eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising. When your daily routine is disrupted following […]

This little book helps you to develop a lifestyle that better fits what you would describe as your ‘perfect life’ With many goal setting ideas and life organization strategies, there’s something for everyone. At the very least, it offers a useful and entertaining read; used to the fullest, its many practical ideas can help you develop a happier and less stress-free lifestyle. What’s more, if you’re busy, stressed and feel that it’s almost impossible to find quiet time to meditate every day, you’re in luck: you can learn to meditate anywhere you are, and get things done while you do […]

1) Looking to Religious Faith Some teens will tell you that the best stress relief comes through religion and prayer. Some teens, such as fifteen-year-old Cassie, grew up in a religious home. “Religion has always been a part of my life,” Cassie says. “I won’t say that I have no stress, but I think that having faith sometimes helps. Getting ready for religious holidays can be really stressful, but you do get a secure feeling when you have all of those family traditions.” Surprisingly, many adults are discovering religion for the first time, either because there was no religion in […]

Mental imaging can help you respond positively to stress. If you have to give a speech, sing a solo in the choir, try out for cheerleading, or interview for a job, you probably anticipate that you will have some stress. Along with your preparation and rehearsal, try a “mental rehearsal,” too. Visualize your performance, but also visualize the stress that you will feel and the best way to respond to that stress. A ”mental rehearsal” can give you added confidence. It can positively affect your performance as well as your physical responses to stress. Mental images can help you relax. […]

Sometimes stress comes from the feeling that you have no control over your problems. When you always rely on others to solve your problems, you lack control. However, when you work on solving your problems yourself, it gives you a sense that you can overcome difficulties. It gives you a feeling of self-worth and boosts self-esteem. When you are under stress, or if you think a situation may begin to cause you stress, take a step back to understand the real problem and the best way to approach it. Size up the problem and consider the options to resolve it. […]