Stress Management Tips for Midterm Season
By Katerina Stathakis
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With school being in session for about two months, the beginning of our school year has officially passed. While this means that we can finally get into the routine of school, it also means that the workload and the pressures that accompany high school will increase, and our stress levels will soar. Homework, heavy course loads, and overscheduling are only a few things that may contribute to high school stress.
Although moderate stress is thought to be beneficial to students and can act as a motivator for some, too much strain may harm a student's potential to learn and may contribute to physical and mental health issues. While stress is inevitable during one's high school years, there are some coping mechanisms that we can use to lessen the stress and stay calm when dealing with academic pressures.
Procrastination is a huge factor in student stress, especially if we struggle to get things started and tend to push off our tasks to the last minute. By being prepared, prioritizing our tasks by level of importance, and completing tasks before the deadline, we can relieve some of the stress caused by poor time management. Time management can be accomplished by breaking goals into smaller, more manageable parts and working in short intervals. Once started, your brain will remind you that the task is incomplete, and you will be more motivated to complete it. At the end of your day, try to concentrate on the positive. Focus on what you accomplished instead of what you didn't.
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A good sleep routine is crucial to minimizing stress and maintaining overall health. Poor sleep habits result in low concentration, poor memory, irritability, and a weak immune system and contribute to an overall negative effect on a student's performance in school. According to the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, teens aged 13-18 need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. A healthy sleep routine in students will result in more productivity, being able to pay more attention to detail, and to concentrate better while studying.
Exercise can be a natural stress reliever that everyone can partake in. Exercise releases feel-good hormones known as endorphins, which help to alleviate the harmful effects of stress. This can improve our mood, increase our mindfulness and overall mental well-being. Exercise can take many forms and doesn't have to be a gruelling endeavour. Any form of exercise, such as walking, running, biking, or yoga, will help to alleviate the stresses of the day. Twenty to sixty minutes a day, a few times a week, can counteract stress, improve concentration, and reduce fatigue.
via Adobe Stock Images
via Adobe Stock Images
via Adobe Stock Images
Talking to someone that you are comfortable with contributes to your overall well being.. Having a conversation with a loved one, a good friend, a teacher, or a sibling will help to improve your mood and put things into perspective. Having a support system can provide the extra support needed to improve coping skills and ultimately reduce stress.
Don't forget to make time for yourself. Regardless of how many tasks you have and how few hours remain in your day, always find time for yourself. Take short breaks during your work and study routine, and do something that you enjoy and that brings you serenity. Find something that calms you and do it. If you know that there is a reward waiting for you at the end of a task, you may be more willing to get the task completed. Self-care is a crucial part of coping with stress. Figure out what works for you and stick to it. Journaling, breathing exercises, wellness apps, and meditation are all great examples of ways to decrease stress.
Though midterm season is stressful for everyone, there are ways that you can relieve the stress created by workload and overscheduling. By finding balance in your life and prioritizing your personal needs, your stress levels will decrease. Be aware that, though some methods may work for some students, they may not work for you, as everyone thinks and functions differently. For maximum effectiveness, use methods that revolve around you and how you like to work or study.
Citations: Harvard Summer School, verywellmind, AACAP, APA, University of Colorado Boulder, Bowdoin Click to learn more!
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