Have you ever thought about a school assignment that has to be done and your stomach suddenly tightens up? How about when you realize that project that you’ve been putting off for so long is due the next day? That nervous, panicky feeling is called stress, and it affects you more than you know.

According to Marcel C. Chappuis, Ph.D., (advisor to teenhelp.com), the biggest known factors that contribute to stress among teenagers are school, family, social issues, and relationships. Because of issues relating to these factors, approximately 10 percent of teenagers suffer from some form of an anxiety disorder. It is scientifically proven that girls who are stressed are more likely to ask for help, whereas, boys will refuse to deal with their stress and usually just find a way to distract themselves.

Additionally, Dr. Chappuis states that the number one reason that teens are stressed is school work. In a survey, 68 percent of teenagers said that school work causes the most stress in their life. I’m sure most students in Hawthorne High School would agree that homework and studying gives them a lot of anxiety, especially when they realize there are multiple tests and assignments that they have to prepare for or complete by the next day.

Furthermore, Dr. Phillip Morse, clinical psychologist and founder of the Mind Body Workshop LLC suggests on Kickoutstress.com that stress can be a big component to a teenager’s physical health as well. Stressed teens are more likely to have depression, anxiety disorders, sleeping problems, bad thoughts, high blood pressure, constant nervousness, or migraines. Statistics prove that teens that are stressed often turn to drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol, since teens believe that these substances are a good way to make them feel stress free.

According to Melinda Smith, M.A., there are several ways to relieve stress. These include:

• Avoiding unnecessary stress.
• Trying to alter the situation that is worrying you.
• Trying to adapt to the problem (or looking at the good things about it).
• Accepting the things you can’t change about the situation.
• Always setting aside time for fun.
• Being physically healthy.