FEATURE I

STRESS   
by: Stephanie-Kay Avila, Staff Writer

Stress is constantly with us.  Whether it is caused by having a 10-page paper due the next day, or having to   baby-sit a sibling on the night you have a date with       someone really cute. Stress could even be caused by    something as simple as your lead breaking from your     pencil.
           Sometimes a person doesn't even realize that he/she is stressed out until more and more stress builds up inside a person and they eventually explode! 
        Stress can be managed by realizing what can and can't be changed and doing something about it. When nothing is done about one's emotions, too much stress could lead to nervous disorders, heart problems, strokes, and even death. Other ways stress can be managed is by doing your best as opposed to trying to be perfect, and also recognizing your negative thoughts (ex. "That was a stupid thing I did") and replacing them with more positive thoughts (ex. "It's OK to make mistakes") 

SOUND OFF: What stresses you out? What do you do to cope with your stress?

Top 5 Signs of Stress

  1. Constant headaches or stomach aches
  1. Trouble falling asleep
  1. Often overly concerned about being "liked" or "accepted"
  1. Trouble finding time to have fun or enjoy oneself
  1. Digestive problems/ abdominal pain (different for each individual)

Top 5 Tips for Overcoming Stress
  1. Prioritize tasks/homework (do what MUST be done first)
  1. Slow down/ take deep breaths
  1. Talk to someone or go for a long walk
  1. Write down your thoughts and feelings (maybe even in the form of poetry). If you don't want them to be found, throw them away or keep it in a    journal.
             Get a good laugh out of something.
            Ex. Watch television, favorite movie, etc.