I've been going through a lot of and am stressed out. What can I do?

Just about everyone I know agrees that being a teen, while full of happy memories and experiences, was an incredibly stressful time in life. There is constant pressure to live up to friends’, family’s, and teachers’ high expectations.

It seems like a lot of stressful things in life center around performance. Are you getting good grades? Are you participating in school clubs and sports? Do have the latest iPod, cell phone, etc.? Are you wearing the trendiest, hippest clothes? Are you OK??

Whew! Take a breath! No wonder you’re stressed out. The question is…how do you handle all of this stress?

Keep everything in proper perspective.

First of all, you are not alone. Everyone deals with stress. Everyone. However, it’s not exactly how God desires us to live. Jesus said that He came to bring us abundant life (John 10:10).

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things, which are seen, but at the things, which are not seen. For the things, which are, seen are temporary, but the things, which are not seen, are eternal” (2 Cor 4:16-18).

Simply put, it is saying that our suffering (stress) is only temporary. We have an eternal home waiting for us that will outweigh any trial we might experience here on earth. It’s having an eternal perspective.

Perhaps we can change our attitudes from “I have to make good grades or I’ll never get into a good college” to “I will try my best, but ultimately I will trust God with my future.”

Try identifying the cause of your stress.

Sometimes we feel stressed and we don’t even realize why. It helps to figure out the triggers of stress in your life, and prioritize your time accordingly. Here are some things to consider:

a. Is there anything on this list that I have the power to change?

b. Are there things on my list that I can give up? (perhaps you’re in one too many school activities?) Ask yourself: What are my main priorities? Put them in order and consider dropping the bottom few.

c. If relationships are stressing you out, are there ways to resolve conflict? If not, can you remove yourself from those relationships altogether?

Find an outlet for stress relief!

a. Talking is one healthy way of dealing with stress. Sometimes just talking to someone helps you sort out exactly how you’re feeling. Find a trusted friend or parent to help you talk through the reasons you are stressed. Oftentimes, an outsider can help you to see areas where you can eliminate stress better than you can.

b. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Take all that stress out on the treadmill—and burn a few calories at the same time!

c. When all else fails---pamper yourself with a manicure or a massage!  (this is actually just a band-aid---it’s best to get to the root of your stress!)