Stress
We all talk about stress, but we’re not always clear about what it is. Stress comes from both the good and the bad things that happen to us. If we didn’t feel any stress, we wouldn’t be alive! Stress may feel overwhelming at times, but there are many strategies to help you take control.
POSITIVE STRESS
Some stress can be a good thing. It can motivate us to focus on a task or take action and solve a problem. In this situation, stress is manageable and even helpful.
NEGATIVE STRESS
Stress is a reaction to a situation—it isn’t about the actual situation. We usually feel stressed when we think that the demands of the situation are greater than our resources to deal with that situation.
KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS
The reasons why you feel stressed can be very different to your friends. It might be speaking in public situations, stressing about academics or worrying about your athletic performances. Knowing what makes you feel stressed can help you target where you need support.
MANAGE YOUR TIME
Getting caught with too many jobs to do and not enough time can be very stressful. Try focusing on one job at a time. Manage your week by using a calendar or diary and prioritise the things that are most important.
SLOW IT DOWN
Although it can sometimes seem impossible to control the way you’re feeling, there are some strategies you can use to calm your body’s response to stress. Yoga, deep breathing exercises, visualization and meditation are all great ways to slow things down and reduce feelings of stress.
MONITOR YOUR STRESS LEVELS
Often we can feel ourselves starting to get run down, irritable and tired. If you feel yourself getting increasingly stressed, do something about it. This could mean taking a day off to rest, talking to a friend, caring adult, or parent.
ASK FOR HELP
Stress is a common experience for a lot of people. If you don’t feel like you can cope with your stress on your own, or you feel like some support would be helpful, ask someone you trust.
GET ACTIVE
Physical activity can be a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood. Activity could be anything from taking up a new sport to walking. The most important part is that it gets you moving and you enjoy it!