High school is a time of self-discovery, academic challenge, and social and physical growth. But that is not all; high school is also a time when many teens get to experience real stress. Stress is the big six-letter word that everyone tries, and often fails, to avoid. On the surface, it seems like we high schoolers have it easy, a significant amount of newfound independence with few adult responsibilities. But that is not an accurate description of how any of us may feel these days. We are all at the beginning of a journey to find our paths in life and figure out who we are, what we want, and what our purpose in life is, or what it will be. As if that is not stressful enough, add to it the pressures of academic success, navigating social dynamics in and out of school, planning for the future, and going through the college application process. It sometimes seems impossible to make it to the other side of this endeavor emotionally and mentally sane.

So, what is stress? Stress is a natural, human sensation that we often feel when faced with a complex, challenging situation that needs our full attention and immediate response. Stress can involve a feeling of unease and tension that may manifest itself in a variety of emotions, including anxiety, sadness, frustration, or even anger. The effects of stress are not limited to the mind, as stressed individuals can also feel physically ill with stress showing up in the form of a wide range of pain and aches including headaches and stomachaches. For teenagers, who are already experiencing high levels of growth and hormonal changes, stress can impact the emotional function of the brain and change the way our cognitive and executive functions work.

While a little stress can be a good motivator to take care of what’s at hand, too much of it can make it difficult or impossible to relax and enjoy life. What’s worse, stress can disturb the sleep rhythm, and stressed-out teens may neglect their own overall well-being, leaving them exhausted and unhealthy, which in turn can exacerbate the feelings of stress, creating a toxic cycle. Every time we feel stressed, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that is tasked with regulating blood pressure and our body’s immune functions. Too much cortisol circulating in our body weakens our immune system, raises blood pressure, and impairs cognitive functions. In other words, a stressed person cannot function physically, emotionally, or mentally at his/her optimal level.

So, what can a teenager do to counter stress? Everyone will experience stress at some point in their lives, but everyone feels it and reacts to it differently. While stress is a common feeling, it is important to determine our body’s reaction and improve our overall well-being. This can be done by improving the way we handle our stress. As teenagers, learning coping strategies to control and manage our stress levels is essential, and can be achieved through a multitude of ways.

Some helpful techniques can include:

• Getting enough exercise and sleep,
• A healthy diet,
• Forming meaningful relationships with family members or friends,
• Using relaxation techniques,
• Meditation,
• Practicing mindfulness,
• Keeping a journal (i.e. gratitude journals),
• Enjoying free time when you can have fun and relax,
• Learning healthy methods planning for stressful periods such as exams,
• Creativity through art, music, or similar projects.

While high school is a time of growth, we need to be aware of the fact that it is also a time when most teens feel pressure coming at them from different fronts. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety and depression, impairing our cognitive and executive function, with long-lasting effects. For high schoolers, recognizing and addressing stress and its related issues is crucial not only for academic success but more importantly for our mental, physical, and overall well-being. Additionally, implementing effective methods of dealing with unforeseen stress and preparing for the expected stressors should be an essential part of high school. As we high schoolers embark on the next few weeks, filled with due dates and exams, we should all try to lower our stress and be better friends to one another. After all, we are all in this together.