Sign: Your Pimples Are Multiplying
When your skin breaks out, you might chalk it up to
hormones. But stress could be the real culprit. Stress comes from any event you
find hard to handle, like a fight with a friend, cramming for a history test,
or problems at home. Learning to deal with your stress can help you feel -- and
look -- your best.
When all your friends suddenly seem annoying, chances are you
are over-stressed. Too much stress can make you grumpy and impatient.
The Smile Solution: Try to smile and laugh with your friends
even if you feel annoyed. Making yourself smile can change how you feel.
Laughing is one of the very best ways to ease stress.When all
your friends suddenly seem annoying, chances are you are over-stressed. Too
much stress can make you grumpy and impatient.
You're Always Tired
Does a great new beat make you dance? Or yawn? If you feel tired
a lot, stress could be to blame. Sneaky, right? Stresses that last a long time,
like family problems or bullying, can wear you out. So instead of feeling
tense, you feel tired or sad.
Fight back with exercise. Dancing, sports, or running can help
you relax, give you energy, and improve your mood. The good feelings kick in
quickly and can last for hours. Always Tired
Your Heart Is Racing
OK, a wildly thumping heart is no great surprise. It's your body
preparing for tough situations -- called "fight or flight." And mild
stress can be a good thing to help you make the winning shot in a ball game,
for example. What else happens?
Your eyes open wide to see more clearly.
Your muscles get more blood.
You sweat to cool off.
Your Appetite Is Bonkers
Crazy eating is another sign of too much stress. You may find
you can't stop wolfing down junk food, or you may not feel like eating much at
all. Either way, unhealthy eating zaps your energy. Now you're tired and
stressed.
The best foods for fighting stress are fruits, veggies, and
whole grains -- along with protein to help keep your hunger in check, such as
low-fat string cheese. Steer clear of chips, microwave pizza, cookies, ice
cream, and other processed junk food -- the energy vampires.
Your Mouth Hurts
If you get cold sores -- those tingly blisters on your lips --
stress can make them pop up more often. Canker sores are the painful ones
inside your mouth. They also multiply when you're stressed. You can ask your
doctor about creams that may help.
Stress remedy? Make a list of activities and pressures, even
long calls from dramatic friends. Where can you cut back? Or say no? Now, add
20 minutes to relax with music or take a walk outdoors.h Hurts
Your Stomach Hurts
Stress can be a pain in the gut -- literally. The nerves in your
stomach and intestines may feel pain more strongly when you're under a lot of
stress.
Learn to calm both mind and body with deep breathing. Put your
hands on your belly and breathe in through your nose. Feel your belly rise.
Breathe out slowly through your nose or mouth. Do this for 10-20 minutes, once
or twice a day. You'll feel more relaxed and gain a calm energy.
You Lean on Drugs or Drinking
If you use drugs or alcohol to deal with stress -- maybe to
escape your worries -- it's time to get help from a doctor or psychologist. You
may think you'll only drink or pop pills to get through a rough patch, but you
can get addicted quickly. And these habits won't solve the real problem --
learning to deal with stress. Call 1-800-662-HELP anytime to find help.
Talk therapy can help you get through hard times safely. And
you'll come out stronger, with new ways to handle stress.
Accept Change
Change is one of the biggest causes of stress -- whether it's
starting a new school or having a best friend move out of town. Learn to see
change as a regular part of life … and you may not feel as stressed when things
don't go as planned.
Think of change as a challenge -- and a chance to try something
new. At times you'll just need to make the best of a situation. Other times, an
interesting new world may unfold before you.
Fix What You Can
Think
about what's causing your stress. Is it next week's math test? A fight with a
friend? Instead of worrying and complaining, take action. Make a plan to solve
the problem. Get help from a teacher or a tutor after school. Ask close friends
or trusted adults for help when you can't find a solution on your own.
Think Positive
If a voice in your head keeps saying, "It's too hard!"
your stress may never get better. Negative thinking adds to your stress. What
thoughts lurk in your mind?
Tell
yourself you have the power to make positive change in your own life. Set goals
and figure out what steps you must take to reach those goals. Believe that you
can do it. And make time to do things you enjoy along the way.
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