Stressed Out? Simple Suggestions that Really Work

Mr. Dolye, School Psychologist|January 4, 2022

As we start a new year during an uncertain time, many students are experiencing elevated feelings of stress and anxiety.  This year, student stress is reported to be at an all-time high.  Many students experience significant amounts of stress, and this stress can impact health, happiness, and academic performance. Unfortunately, high school students are experiencing significant levels of chronic stress and feel their levels of stress exceed their ability to cope effectively. 

So, we asked the experts here at Toll Gate for some advice and they shared some advice about how you can help reduce your levels of stress. Mr. Doyle want us to know that “most of these suggestions seem pretty simple but before you dismiss them, believe that simple solutions can actually work”!

  • Get Enough Sleep
    • Eight to ten hours of sleep is recommended for high school students.  Now that you’ve stopped laughing, seriously – the CDC recommends that you get 8-10 hours of sleep.  What impacts your sleep?  Homework (you’re laughing again), video games, social media, etc, all compete for your much needed zzzzz’s but not getting enough sleep can cause increased anxiety, weight gain, limited productivity – all in all not sleeping enough is bad. 
  • Get Some Exercise
    • Even low intensity exercise has been found to release endorphins – the feel good hormone.  Walking does not have to be done at a fast pace to have stress-relieving benefits. Even walking your dog at a steady, comfortable pace promotes relaxation.
  • Take Deep Breaths
    • Seriously, there is scientific evidence that certain breathing techniques can reduce stress.  There are lots of techniques that work, just Google them.
  • Surround yourself with positive people
    • The old saying about birds of a feather can be very much true.  Surrounding yourself with others who are always overwhelmed and soooo stressed out (we all know someone like this) can create more stress in your own life.  Same is true when we surround ourselves with those who are happy and positive.  So instead of talking to your friends about how stressed you are, make a conscious effort to direct the conversation toward happier and less stressful topics.
  • Challenge your anxious thoughts
    • The power of positive thinking is real.  However, staying positive in these stressful times can be difficult and takes practice.  Positive self-talk is a habit that takes time so start small but over time this strategy can help you to see things in a more positive light.
  • Get Organized
    • Can’t find what you are looking for, can’t remember that there was an assignment due?  Losing items and forgetting about tests/quizzes can be a major source of stress.  Making a list and checking off completed tasks has been found to reduce stress and increase productivity.
  • Eat Healthy
    • Cookies, ice cream, cakes and other desserts are great but too many too often can make you tired, sluggish and “hangry” when those carbs are metabolized.  Eating a healthy diet can improve your productivity, improve mood and energy level.