Stress Tips

Dear Coco,

How can I manage stress and anxiety? 

Dear Anonymous,

Stress is a normal part of any high schooler’s day, whether it is related to academics, friends, or anything in between. The best way to manage stress is to get ahead of it, and do everything you can to limit the stress before it starts. For schoolwork, this often means starting assignments well in advance so that you are not cramming the night before a big project or an important paper is due. To limit stress in regards to friendships, surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. Friends are meant to be sources of fun, not people who are constantly stressing you out or making you question your decisions. If hanging out with a certain friend has more negatives than positives, this is usually an indicator that you should try to limit your time around that particular person. Although some level of stress is inevitable in life, constant high levels of stress are unhealthy. If you are constantly filled with overwhelming feelings of anxiety, it may be time to make large scale changes in your life. If you feel like you are doing too much, do not be afraid to take an activity or two off your schedule- your health is more important than fulfilling obligations. Also, never be afraid to reach out to someone to ask for help. Whether it be a friend, family member, or teacher, the people in your life are always willing to lend a hand so that you don’t feel quite so overwhelmed.