OLH/SL School Nurse - 😬 April-Stress Awareness

A certain level of stress is normal. And positive stress responses from events such as changing schools and meeting new friends can actually help students learn and grow. But when exposed to repeated stressful events without the tools to manage feelings, stress can become emotionally and physically toxic. This guide explains the symptoms of stress in students from elementary school through college and provides strategies teachers and parents can use to help.

Stress in Students: Causes & Symptoms

Unlike adults, who can communicate about how stress impacts their lives, children and teens may not recognize or even have the words to describe how they're feeling. Students are experiencing stress at growing rates, with a 2014 American Psychological Association study finding teens in the U.S. are even more stressed than adults.

However, parents and teachers can watch for short-term behaviors and physical symptoms that manifest when stress becomes a problem. Since age plays a major role in how stress affects us, here are some common causes and symptoms for students in elementary school, middle school, high school and college to help identify when there may be a concern.

Elementary School - Causes

Taking important tests

While most kids don't enjoy taking tests, it can cause extreme stress in some children. Those with extreme test anxiety may end up completely shutting down during exams, which can directly impact a student's grades.

Presenting an oral report

Getting up in front of the class is scary for students worried they'll do something embarrassing and become the fodder for peer gossip.

Physical Education (PE)

In addition to the dread of being picked last when the class divides into teams, kids often must prove they've met fitness standards (curl-ups, push-ups, etc.) in front of the group each semester.

Standing out in the crowd

Whether it's for being tardy, eating an unusual-looking lunch or not knowing the answer when called on, being the center of attention can be stressful for young children.

Being in danger

School lockdowns, fire drills, tornado drills … kids are reminded about potential dangers on a regular basis.

Middle School - Causes

Homework load

The amount of homework students receive in middle school is markedly higher than elementary school, with an average of over 3 hours of homework per night for students with 5 classes according to one study.

Busy schedules

For middle schoolers involved in activities outside of school (sports, dancing, playing an instrument, and other enrichment) finding downtime can difficult.

Peer pressure

Even before middle school begins students are starting to care more about what their peers think including drugs and alcohol.

Image concerns

Social media has created a 24-hour-a-day platform for peer pressure and bullying, a problem that didn't exist for their parents.

Financial worries

In middle school, kids who can't afford the hottest brands of clothing, backpacks or smartphone can feel left out.

School Stress: 10 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Manage Stress

Stress is part of kids’ lives. While some stress can help motivate them to get work done, too much stress can be overwhelming and can cause problems with health, sleep and brain function. And when stressed, some teens and young adults may turn to abusing stimulants, like Adderall and Ritalin, to stay awake and focused:

Dr. Denise Pope, one of the experts featured in our documentary film BREAKING POINTS, co-founder of Challenge Success at Stanford University and author of Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy Successful Kids, offers 10 ways parents can support their kids as they navigate their busy lives.

1. Act as a cheerleader and supporter for your teen – provide the necessary supplies and show an active interest in the content your child is learning, but allow the teachers to handle it if your kid fails to do the homework correctly or regularly.

2. Recognize that children learn in different ways and have different work styles – some do homework all at once, while others need to take frequent breaks. Discuss with your child the working conditions that will lead to the best homework outcomes.

3. Work WITH your child to develop a schedule that will allow time to complete homework, work on projects and study for tests – while still attending activities, getting adequate sleep and having time for play.

4. Don’t underestimate the importance of non-academic achievements. Challenge Success emphasizes that kids – regardless of age — need playtime, downtime and family time each day. Research show this acts as a protective factor for long-term academic engagement and overall well-being.

5. Allow space and rejuvenation between activities. Encourage teens to unwind by listening to music, reading for pleasure and spending time with friends. Kids need time to reflect and dream, explore the world, develop interests, make friends and craft an identity.

6. Schedule high-quality family time multiple times a week to give kids the experience of unconditional love, acceptance and support. Eat meals together, take walks, swap stories and practice family traditions.

7. As a family, discuss the characteristics of success that you value most (e.g., compassion, integrity, health). Remind your kids that success is measured over the course of a lifetime, not at the end of a semester.

8. Explain that there are many different paths to success. Talk about your own path, including your struggles and failures.

9. Examine the subtle messages you send your kids. If your first question after school is, “How’d you do on the test?” you may be implying that grades matter more than anything else. Instead, ask, “How was your day? Learn anything interesting? Did you get to spend time with friends?”

10. Help your teen find the right-fit college or post-secondary opportunity. Debunk the myth that only the most prestigious colleges will lead to success.

Key Takeaways

Support your teens by giving them the skills to help plan their time better.

Encourage downtime for rejuvenation.

Foster a healthy definition of “success.” Make sure your children know that they are loved for who they are, not only for how well they perform.

Stress Awareness

We all experience stress – yet we may experience it in very different ways. Because of this, there is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.

Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels anxious or threatened. Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the proper care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms.

Common reactions to a stressful event can include:

• Disbelief, shock and numbness

• Feeling sad, frustrated and helpless

• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions

• Headaches, back pains and stomach problems

• Smoking or the use of alcohol or drugs

Affecting more than just your mind

Long-term stress can prove to be more than just a mental issue. From headaches to stomach disorders to depression – even very serious issues like stroke and heart disease can come as a result of stress.

When you are placed in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels. This is helpful in emergency situations, but having this “rush” for extended periods of time can be dangerous and make you susceptible to the issues mentioned previously.

Learn to overcome issues you cannot change

Sometimes the stress in our lives is not something we have the power to change. Try to:

• Recognize when you don’t have control, and let it go.

• Avoid getting anxious about situations that you cannot change.

• Take control of your reactions and focus your mind on something that makes you feel calm and in control.

• Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness, and personal growth, and set realistic goals to help you realize your vision.

Healthy ways for coping with your stress

Here are some basic ideas to help you cope with stress:

• Take care of yourself – eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, give yourself a break if you feel stressed.

• Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a family member, friend, doctor, pastor or counselor.

• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These can create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.

• Recognize when you need more help – know when to talk to a psychologist, social worker or counselor if things continue.

Potentially the most valuable takeaway here is knowing how to talk to others about your stress. This goes both ways, as you need to know how to discuss your problems with others as well as talk to anyone that comes to you with their issues.

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