The end of the school year can be an incredibly stressful time. If you’re feeling it, know that you’re not alone. We did a survey and found that 55% of young people in New Zealand aged 15-24 thought that stress was one of the biggest issues facing them, and the biggest thing stressing people out was school, university, exams, study, and homework.
Feeling overwhelmed and the pressure to be successful is a lot. In this article, we’ll help you understand where stress comes from and some tricks and tools for managing it.
1. Identifying Stress
In small doses, stress can help you get things done, like pass a test or achieve a goal. But if you’re stressed all the time, you end up draining your body of the energy it needs to function normally. Learn how to identify signs of stress in yourself so you can take steps to improve your mood. Common signs of stress:
• Memory lapses
• Poor concentration, judgment, and decision-making.
• Negative thinking, worrying, and racing thoughts.
• Unhappiness, anxiety, agitation, or depression.
• A general feeling of being overwhelmed.
2. How Stress Works
Back in the caveman days, our brain developed in a way that helped us to keep safe from danger. So if we started getting chased by a bear, our brain would release chemicals that would help us to fight the bear off, run away from the bear or freeze so the bear wouldn’t see us. This was known as the “Fight, Flight, Freeze” response. Today, our brains still respond to stressful events in the same way and this can get in the way of living our lives unless we help release those FFF chemicals.
3. Relieving Stress
This is the big one! And there are a lot of different tools and techniques – different strokes, for different folks. Here are some of our favourite ideas:
Creative ideas for stress relief:
• Journalling
• Drawing
• Colouring books
• Take a class
• Google it
• Music
• Create a vision board
• Write a story or poem
• Bake something delicious
• Photography
Exercising For Stress Relief:
• Dancing to your favourite track
• Go for a walk or run outside
• Going for a swim
• Team sports, like hockey, rugby, netball, or basketball.
• Martial arts, such as karate, jiu jitsu, and taekwondo.
• Stretching exercises like yoga and pilates.
• Weight training at a gym.
• Outdoor pursuits like rock climbing
• Dance or aerobics classes.
• Walking your dog around the neighbourhood.
• Anything else you enjoy that keeps you moving.
Other ways to relieve stress:
• Talking to a friend, parent, or person you trust.
• Walking away from a situation and doing something else to rest your brain.
• Spending time laughing with friends or relaxing with pets.
• Eating something that energises you and makes you feel good.
• Watching a fun movie or TV show.
• Reading a book you enjoy.
• Making some art or writing a journal entry.
Mindfulness Techniques & DeCluttering Your Mind:
Mindfulness is about being present and aware of the here and now. Too often in life we’re busy focusing on the future or worrying about the past. Mindfulness pulls us back to the present and reminds us that we are valued and loved.
People who practice mindfulness on a regular basis are happier, healthier, and more successful in life. Try some searching on YouTube for some simple meditation or mindfulness exercises today and experience the difference for yourself.
4. Supporting Others
If your friend is really stressed out, being there to listen can be a huge help. Please make sure that you’re also getting supported if you are being a support person. Youthline is also happy to help you come up with a plan to support a friend.
5. Get Support
Talk it out – with a friend, family member or with us. Here’s how you can reach out for help:
Free Youthline Helpline: Call us anytime – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s free and private, so you don’t have to worry about anyone finding out.
• Call: 0800 37 66 33
• Text: 234
• Email: talk@youthline.co.nz
• Webchat: You can also chat with us online if that’s easier for you – click here for our webchat service
