Managing your stress

Image by Mark Hicks, Illustrator

Stress can be a good motivator.  It can motivate us to pursue a goal, but sometimes if we have too much, it can be unhealthy.

How does your body tell you when you are stressed?  How do you manage your stress?  Do you take time to stop and breathe?  Do you crank your music for awhile?  Do you go for a walk?  Do you talk to a friend?  It's so important to find ways that you can relive stress when it gets to be too much.  

Remember the AAA:

Accept:  Sometimes there are things you cannot control, such as a divorce or a move.  While you cannot control something, you do have the ability to accept the situation and make it the most positive outcome that you can. 

Adjust:  Sometimes there are stressors in life that you have the power to change.  For example, if you are constantly handing in homework late, you can make a study plan to hand it in on time.  If you are constantly fighting with your parents or friends, you could try understanding something from the others' point of view.

Avoid:  Sometimes you might be causing the stress.  Maybe there is a group of friends that whenever you hang out with them, you get in trouble.  This is up to you to change.  It takes strength. 

Once again...remember your counselor is there for you.  If there is a situation you feel you do not know how to handle, your counselor will be able to help you figure out the cause of the problem and arrive at the best outcome for you.