Ways to relieve stress for high school students

Ways+to+relieve+stress+for+high+school+students

Isaiah Holmes

     Stress is a huge problem that many high school students possess. Trying to balance all of the responsibilities of an active high school student can be very hard sometimes. From being on a sports team, having hours of homework, and being involved with clubs and other activities in school, students often find time for themselves for relaxation. For people who do not know where to start when it comes to stress relief, here are some ideas:

Short-Term Relief

  1. Go for a 20-minute walk or run. It is an excellent way to clear your head and process your thoughts. I’m a huge fan of listening to the radio or my own music while doing so.  Davia Murray, ‘17, said, “before I used to do my homework, taking a walk around the block with my dog helped get into the zone.”
  2. Take a power nap. Crawl your stressed self into bed for a 20-minute cat nap, and you’ll wake up feeling more in control. Naps help you be more alert.
  3. Listen to your favorite song. Take a few minutes to allow yourself to completely zone out and enjoy good music.
  4. Make a list. Take out some notebook paper and write down everything you need to do today or in the next few days, because according to Blake Rubey, ‘16, “the secret to improving productivity and reducing stress is making lists that are effective.” I make separate lists: one for homework assignments, one for extracurricular responsibilities, and an “other” list.
  5. Clean your room. Make sure you’re working in a clutter-free area and that your bedroom is a clean space where you go to rest and rejuvenate.
  6. Do some yoga. Yoga is a really peaceful, simple way to check in on yourself and work on decreasing stress levels. There are dozens of yoga apps and online videos available to guide you through a short but effective practice.

Long-Term Relief

  1. Plan ahead and write goals. It will make your life so much easier. Make sure you physically write down these goals, set reminders on your phone, and do not procrastinate.
  2. Seek support. Family, friends, and even teachers can be great support systems during these crazy years. Do not get so wrapped up in everything you have to do that you forget to spend time with people you care about, because it can be a huge stress-reliever.
  3. Exercise. If you don’t play a sport, consider joining a team or establishing a habit of exercising for 30 minutes or more a day. It really is a fantastic way to de-stress.
  4. Prioritize. This is both a short-term and a long-term way to reduce stress. Short-term prioritizing includes things like making lists, but long-term prioritizing is a beneficial habit. Routinely create a schedule to use your time more effectively, and try to complete tasks in order of urgency.
  5. Make sure you get enough sleep.
  6. Be passionate. I think it’s imperative to find something you love and set aside time for that activity every day by prioritizing. For example, I make sure I finish all my homework by a certain time so I can spend 30 minutes on Twitter, finding out what is going on in the world. Identifying a passion will give you something to look forward to and help reduce stress!

     Many upperclassmen are probably thinking about college and scholarships, wondering what to major in and do in the future,  while others, including underclassmen, are trying to balance academics, sports, extracurriculars, friends, and family. It can be hard to balance it all. However, finding ways to reduce your stress can help you be happier and even more productive. De-stressing will also enable you to enjoy the present and realize that stress is temporary and your problems will not be here forever.