Adamson 1 Raquel Adamson Mr.

Duerr English 12 01/04/14

Helping Teenagers with Stress

Have you ever wondered why some teenagers seem extremely stressed out? High stress among teenagers is becoming a normality in todays society. Stress is a powerful feeling that leaves the body feeling overwhelmed. Its can be defined as the response of the body to any demand for change. It is such a highly subjective phenomenon that is difficult to put a definition to. More so, it can be measured rather than defined. Stress can trigger physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms in someone. When trying to juggle the strong demands from not only school, but also work and college, a teenager can easily become overwhelmed and feel suffocated. Things out of their control can create an even bigger problem in the teenage body. Financial issues, divorce, or mental illness are other huge factors of stress. Effects of the high stress are not good. From obesity to depression, physical to mental pain, stress can ruin you. High expectations from family, friends, and teachers along with family problems are two of the most common causes of teenage stress (Segal). Lets start with the high expectations factor. Some parents do not always realize that putting too much pressure on a teen to be perfect can damage their self esteem. It can lead to stress known as hyper stress, which occurs when an individual is pushed beyond what he or she can handle. Teachers can also be partially blamed. During high school when there are five different classes and many

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assignments to get done it can be a lot to juggle. Friends can also cause hyper stress by putting a lot of peer pressure on one another. Being apart of the cool group can put a huge weight on the shoulder of a student struggling fit in. The first two symptoms are cognitive and emotional. The cognitive symptom category is negative thinking. A negative attitude is self -defeating (Gallozzi). You can become more self destructing from having a poor attitude. An example Emotional eating is when people use food as a way to deal with feelings instead of to satisfy hunger (Stehl). Behavioral changes like emotional eating or using drugs and alcohol can lead to more serious problems beyond stress but dont help cope with stress. A teen may begin hanging out with the wrong crowd which can lead to going against their values and beliefs. The other two, physical and behavioral symptoms are two other effects of stress. If it is left untreated it can lead to chronic pain. If a person does not learn how to manage stress your body will start to break down. Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death; heart disease, lung ailments, cancer, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide (Gaikwad). Behavioral symptoms are mostly shown when youre taking on too much stress. Bad eating habits, drug or alcohol use, and going against your beliefs are all signs of behavior stress symptoms. Time management and social problems are also a large stressor in a teens life. Fitting in and being social is not always the easiest thing. A family therapist said that Peer influences are normal a nd necessary in our lives (Hawes).

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When it comes to trying to find a solution to extreme stress, there are many different options out there. Decreasing stress can be solved by multiple behaviors and techniques.

For example, just avoiding bad habits can reduce a tremendous amount of stress in your life. Parents need to try and stop expecting such high results from their teenagers. They should attempt to put themselves in their teenagers position. Eating and exercising regularly, staying away from caffeine, and avoiding illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco are all perfect examples. Drink eight glasses of water each day. (You feel tired when you are dehydrated.) Eat breakfast and do not skip meals, eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Exercise causes the brain to release endorphins from your body. It reduces muscle tension and takes your mind off of problems. Also released by the brain, dopamine and glutamate. These chemicals allow your arms and legs to start moving and keep you going in a smooth and collected manner. Teenagers need lots of sleep because they are growing and developing at a furious pace. Not getting enough sleep can give you bad skin, make you clumsy and emotional, and make it hard to concentrate. By going to sleep at the same time every night, your body will start to function more healthy. Learn practical coping skills, break down larger tasks into smaller ones to make it seem uncomplicated, being able to finish more efficiently. Cognitive attitudes toward stress are one of the main reasons it can affect a person so badly. Your outlook on stress is a factor to how good or bad you handle it. If you have an extremely negative view of it, youll have more issues than someone who thinks positively. Although there are many disadvantages of stress, there can be some

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helpful advantages from it. It can cause you to work extremely hard when adrenaline is released, allowing you to meet deadlines or motivate you to fulfill goals. Stress can actually improve your

intelligence, causing you to do better on exams (Knowlton). It is also a vital warning system, producing the fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives some kind of stress, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions such as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Also, the senses suddenly have a laser-like focus so you can avoid physically stressful situations. Resolving stress is going to be different for everyone. After doing enough research I believe that thinking positive and finding the biggest stressor and removing it from your life combined with plenty of exercise would be the best solution. People can learn what the triggers of stress are and what warning signs to look out for if a teenager is stressed. Having a person admit they are stressed is not always an easy task. Once they figure out what is causing the stress, it is easy to change. Taking a break and relaxing from your busy schedule is always a healthy solution if you're overworked or your mind is full. Even going for a jog when you feel as if you're going to explode from stress would be an ideal option. While you're working out endorphins will be released and uplift your mood. By exercising regularly, you can increase self-confidence plus lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety disorders. It also can improve your sleep habits, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety.

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All of this can lower your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life, allowing you to live a stress free life.

Works Cited
"What Is Stress?" The American Institute of Stress. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. "Negative Thinking." Negative Thinking. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. Increased Stress Puts More At Risk. USA Today Magazine 140.2803 (2012): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. Gaikwad, Mukta. "Causes of Stress in Teenagers." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 29 June 2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. "Stress Symptoms, Signs and Causes." Stress Symptoms, Signs & Causes: Effects of Stress Overload. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. "Helping Teenagers With Stress." Helping Teenagers With Stress. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. Knowlton, Susan. "The Positive Effects of Stress." The Positive Effects of Stress. Health Guidance, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.