Everybody gets stressed from time to time. Different people feel
stress in different ways. Some ways of dealing with
stress
- like screaming, hitting someone, or punching a wall - don't
solve much. But other ways, like talking to someone you trust, can
start you on the road to solving your problem or at least feeling
better.
Try taking these five steps the next time you are stressed:
-
Get support.
When you need help, reach out to the people who care about you.
Talk
to a trusted adult, such as a parent, other relative, a school
counselor, or a coach. And don't forget about your friends.
They might be worried about the same test or have had similar
problems, such as dealing with a
divorce
or the death of a beloved
pet
.
-
Don't freak out!
It's easy to let your feelings go wild when you're upset.
Notice your feelings, and name them - for example, "I am so
angry
!" And say or think about why you feel that way. Then, find
a way to calm down and get past the upset feelings and find a way
to express them. Do breathing exercises, listen to music, write
in a journal, play with a pet, go for a walk or a bike ride, or
do whatever helps you shift to a better mood.
-
Don't take it out on yourself.
Sometimes when kids are stressed and upset they take it out on
themselves. Oh, dear, that's not a good idea. Remember that
there are always people to help you. Don't take it out on
yourself. Be kind to yourself and ask for the helping hand or pat
on the back that you need - and deserve - to get you through the
tough situation you're facing.
-
Try to solve the problem.
After you're calm and you have support from adults and
friends, it's time to get down to business. You need to
figure out what the problem is. Even if you can't solve all
of it, maybe you can begin by solving a piece of it.
-
Be positive - most stress is temporary.
It may not seem like it when you're in the middle a stressful
situation, but stress does go away, often when you figure out the
problem and start working on solving it.
These five steps aren't magic - and you might have to do
some steps more than once, but they
do
work. And if you can stay positive as you make your way through a
tough time, you'll help yourself feel better even faster. Ah .
. . it feels so good when the stress is gone!
Reviewed by:
D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: October 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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