Managing Stress

by Taliha, 10th grade

How to Manage Stress

Today, I bet the one thing we can all agree on is that we experience stress! I know for me at least, there is never a day that goes by that I am not thinking about the thousands of things on my plate, and I am left with the question of whether or not I will finish everything on time. Stress, according to Merriam-Webster, is a factor causing bodily or mental tension and may be linked to disease. For me, it feels like I’m going to crumble under the pressure. Although getting stressed is a natural part of life growing up (sorry to break it to you all!), there are many ways to overcome it.

Being stressed should not be something that pulls you down; instead, it should be a way to improve and become a better person overall! The number one way that I manage my stress is to take a break. When I have so many things on my mind, I get frazzled and overwhelmed and cannot complete anything. So instead of sitting there trying to finish a million tasks at once, I like to go outside, and just be around nature. If you cannot go outside, that is okay too! Instead, maybe open a window and try to let your body decompress. Doing this lets you relax your mind and body and center yourself. By being able to center yourself, you will also be able to center your thoughts, which can allow you to plan your tasks and finish everything more efficiently!

Another way I love to manage my stress is to doodle, or draw. For all the artists out there, this one’s for you! Drawing is scientifically proven to help your brain relax and to allow you time for self-care. There are numerous forms of self-care, and whichever one you resonate with the most will help you manage your stress! This one is my favorite because I love to draw, so if I am ever feeling stressed, I love to draw in my free time, as it relaxes me, and I feel calmer afterward. The last way to manage stress, which is one that I need to improve on the most, is to manage your time! Managing your time is so important, especially when you have a lot you need to finish, and it is important to pace yourself accordingly with everything you need to do.

For me, the best way to manage my time is by having a planner, either online or physically, and writing everything down. I love to plan my day from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. I also find that having a “bedtime” helps a lot as it helps to set a routine, and routines are also essential to managing stress. While these are just some of the daily tactics I use to manage my stress, everyone is different! What works for me may not work for everyone, and that is okay!

Stress management is different for each individual, and that is what makes us all unique. I hope that by reading this, you were able to learn some valuable information about managing stress and that you can incorporate your favorite techniques into your life! Remember that whatever is happening right now is temporary, and if things are not going your way right now, better times are coming soon!