All That Stress You Felt In High School? Science Says It Was Real!
No, you're not crazy! Even science says high school sucks.
Getty Remember what it was like as a teenager? We were stressed, overwhelmed and emotional? We felt like we had the weight of the world on our shoulders.
Remember how everyone thought you were crazy and just being overly dramatic? But you knew all that stress was real.
Well guess what- you were right!
A study by the APA says that the stress of teenagers can actually rival that of adults!
Let's say that again (because it kind of bares repeating): TEENS HAVE JUST AS MUCH — IF NOT MORE — STRESS THAN ADULTS!
Adults often dismiss the very real feelings of stress teens have, because they don't have careers, family, finances, taxes or any of that "serious" kind of stress.
But the truth is, teens have just as much to worry about! They have colleges to consider, tests to study for that can make-or-break their school career, a potential career path to figure out and all of that is on top of the normal struggles of a teenager — the friends, the romance, trying to fit in, etc.
We're shuddering just remembering it!
If you know a teenager or young adult who is dealing with some (or all) of this stress now, here are a few ways to help them relieve some of that stress:
1. Get some exercise.
It doesn't really matter what you do or how taxing the physical activity is. All that matters is that you enjoy what you do and that you move your body because doing any kind of physical activity is a great stress reducer.
2. Do something that you love.
Take a moment to step back from all of the stress to do something for yourself. Read a book, listen to music, draw a picture or write a novel or bake some cookies: make some time to do whatever is it that makes you happy.
3. Talk to someone.
This doesn't only mean talk to a friend. Find an adult you trust (teacher, parent, sibling, etc.) who you can talk to about everything that's bothering you. They might have experienced something similar and have a new way of looking at your problem and if not, they'll be able to help you find someone who can.
The most important thing is to supportive and to let them know you care. Everyone experiences stress and while theirs might be different from what an adult might face, that doesn't make it any less real.