Stress Management

By Wendy Barry, Grade 6

Stress- A state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation

Middle school is stressful. Lots of things can cause stress. Friends. Family. Homework. Grades. Whatever it is, it isn't fun. Here are 10 tips on stress control.

• According to youthfirst.org, exercise is really good for your stress. According to the article, it's "One of the most important parts of a stress management plan." You can go to a nearby gym, start/practice a sport, or just run around outside. I always get distracted in gym, because I'm focused on winning whatever it is we're playing.

• Socializing is another common way to be less stressed. Text a friend (which I do like everyday) and talk about something random. That'll make you feel better.

• Talking with adults helps, or just talking to anyone. They don't even have to say anything. Just tell them what's wrong and you'll already feel better.

• If you're not much of a talker, then you can write things down in a notebook or just some random piece of paper you find in your basement. You can even do it if you talk with your friends. Just writing things down always helps.

• I like to have something to distract me after school. Do some type of after-school activity (like a sport) whether it's through school or after school.

• According to 90% of the articles that I read, sleep is another important way to work out stress. In fact, lack of sleep could be a cause of your stress.

• Focus on the five senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste (maybe), and feel?

• Focus on something else. Maybe an upcoming birthday party, or even something that has nothing to do with you. Like how spring starts in less than a month or that it is baseball season.

• I like to count things. Don't count something like your fingers though. Count something like the amount of lights in a room, where you don't know the amount there is. It helps distract your brain from being stresses.
    Stress is very common among middle school students and the things you're stressed about, is probably what your friends or just some other kids are stressed about. You’re not alone.

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   Sources

  • Youthfirst.org

  • Azk12.org

  • Counceling.online.wfu.edu

  • apa.org