Between the tests, papers, extra-curricular activities, college applications, relationships, break-ups and all around bad days, life can be, at the very least, a bumpy road. But as the song goes, it is possible to "Don’t worry, be happy!" The key is to stop stressing and start relaxing. Don't let stress, which can be characterized as physical, mental, or emotional pressure, get you down.
Dr. Karyn Horowitz, director of outpatient services at Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island, says that the kind of stress teens have today is similar to the kind they've always had – with the addition of one complicating factor: the digital realm. "“The main causes of stress are friends, school, and family,” she says. “But one thing that has changed is that technology has added new stress— the way that kids have to navigate socially. There’s a lot of pressure around texting and being responsive.”
Horowitz also says that teens take the anonymity of the cyber world to an extreme—they might say more than they should or would in person. “It creates a little more intensity and at the same time diminishes the reality of relationships—which adds a lot of stress,” she says.
Teenage stress has become more of a concern over recent years, due to rising rates of depression and suicide; increased rates of substance abuse and alcoholism; and lack of social support due to divorce and separation. "There has been disintegration of religious and spiritual values," says Dr. Paul Rosch, president of the American Institute of Stress. "There's the FUD factor—more fear, uncertainty and doubt about the future." The effect of the economic slowdown has also trickled down to teens, says Rosch. "Teens are concerned about obtaining a meaningful job; and the massive layoffs have flooded the marketplace with others vigorously competing for jobs that were previously relatively easy for older teens to secure.”
Tension can manifest in many different ways, including sickness, social isolation, constant tiredness, depression, nervousness, insomnia, and difficulty focusing on school work.
Everyone gets stressed out — sometimes to the point of wanting to pull your hair out, punch a wall, or run up and down the halls crying. But there are much better ways to manage your stress levels.
Horowitz of Bradley Hospital suggests taking a step back from technology.
“Be aware that there can be a lot of stress involved with maintaining connections—if you want to check out, feel free to do that. And with technology, keep in mind what happens through texting and e-mailing is not reality. An important message for kids is don’t develop relationships online, develop them in person,” she says.
Progressive muscle relaxation (repeatedly tensing and relaxing large muscles of the body) can help you relax your body.
Rosch says that because each individual has different experiences with stress, there is not a set way to conquer it.
“Jogging, meditation, yoga or listening to music work great for some, but prove dull, boring and stressful when arbitrarily imposed on others. You have to learn what works best for you so that you will continue to stick to it rather than comply haphazardly with someone else's suggestions,” Rosch says.
Find out what mellows you out. Being able to relax and let the worry slide from your mind is the key to overcoming your stress. Take a step back from whatever is stressing you. Try to find solutions to problems rather than fret over them.
And as the saying goes, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
