HEALTH
6 Stress Busters [for Teens and Everyone]
By Cara, age 13, California
Say Buh-bye to Perfection
When we start tasks we sometimes push ourselves a little too hard, thinking what we do must be perfect.
Doing a good job can be very rewarding, but when we push ourselves to be perfect we put stress on our
shoulders. Before you get into tasks, ask yourself, "How much do I really need to put into this in order
to accomplish it?" Reason with yourself and be realistic.
"No" (The Biggest One-Syllable Word)
Sometimes our lives get overbooked. It feels like there aren't enough hours in a day to get things done.
This is extremely stressful. One way to slow things down is learning to say no. For instance, recently my
friend asked me to go on a trip with her to Pismo Beach, but I had just returned from another big trip and
had a lot of things to do around the house. I said no because I felt that if I went I wouldn't accomplish
anything and would become even more stressed. Take a look at your schedule. Are there things that stress
you out that you could do without? Learn to say no to those things you don't want to handle. If you are
asked on spot to do something, and you think you may need to say no, tell the person you will get back to
them later with an answer. By doing so, you will be able to think through your decision or think of a way
to say no.
Make "You" Time
Everybody needs time to themselves. If you are constantly on the go and focusing on many different things,
this can cause you to feel exhausted. Your body and mind need rest in this situation. Whenever possible take
time for yourself to do things you enjoy. You can release stress by doing so. Exercise is a must. Getting
outdoors for walks and fresh air is a good form of exercise.
Think Positive!
Changing the way you think about stressful situations can help. When you have a lot of things to do, think
"It will be awesome if I can get even half of this done!" This is better than saying "There is no way I can
get any of this done!" Try to take pride in what you do get done. And one more little hint: Staying calm
while doing work will help better your work ... and help keep stress away from you!
Break Those Bad Habits
Sometimes we channel our stress into other things, such as shopping or overeating, which can add even more
stress into our lives. The next time you are stressed and reach out to these kinds of habits for comfort,
stop yourself. Don't let it happen. They will only stress you further. Besides, making "you" time is sooo
much better for you than unhealthy weight gain or spending money you can't spare on unnecessary things.
Build a Good Team
Surround yourself with people who are good for you. Try to find people who are positive and supportive -
people you can trust. These are the people who will be able to talk to you after a stressful day and care
about what's going on in your life. This will help you mentally as well.
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