Handling+Stress

**__ What Is Stress? __**

The first thing to remember when dealing with stress is that everyone is affected by it. You are not alone! Your parents, your teachers, your friends, the president, and the richest man in the world are all affected by stress! But first you need to know what stress is. Stress is a physical change your body makes in response to your environment. Your heart beating fast when watching a scary movie, anxiety before a big test, and nervousness when talking to your crush, are all examples of stress.


 * __Am I Stressed Out?__**

For most people, stress can be a good thing because it can alert them to problems in their lives. People can make decisions and take actions in order to remove what is causing their stress. You might have stress if you notice any of the following:  // 1. Identify why you are stressed or what may be triggering feelings of stress. Often times, the most effective way of doing this is by writing down all of the things that are bothering you. Once this is done, see if their are any actions you can take which can remove the stressor from your list.
 * Loss of appetite
 * Sleeplessness
 * Mood swings
 * Lack of concentration
 * Anxiety over simple tasks
 * Feelings of being overwhelmed
 * Depression
 * __What Can I Do?__**

2. Talk to somebody. Don't think that you need to talk to someone who can solve your problems. You only need to find someone who will listen. Often talking about your problems with someone will not only make you feel better, but you may figure out a way to feel less stressed. This person can be a close friend, an older sibling, a school counselor, or even a parent! These are all people who want to help you.

3. Practice any situations which may cause you stress. If you feel uncomfortable being around younger children, take a babysitting class or volunteer at a school.

4. Think positively! Tell your self things will get better because they will! Believe it or not you will find greater experiences in life than what you might find in middle school.

5. Remove yourself from stressful situations. Take a break to do what you like to do like exercise, listen to music, play an instrument, or watch TV.

6. Learn some relaxation techniques. It mind sound silly, but deep breathing and meditation can lower your heart rate and focus the mind. // 

 Watch the videos below to see how teens and teachers have worked together to combat stress. Additional resources can be found at the bottom of the page. media type="youtube" key="fu1MtJzEp8I" height="344" width="425"

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Resources: [|Teen's Health Website] [|Focus Adolescent Services] [|Lifespan] [|The Health Center] [|Stress Focus]