Everyone experiences some sort of stress, which is why experts advise taking some time away from life’s responsibilities and finding relaxing ways to cope. Teenagers are no exception to this, so students at North Harford deal with their stressful schedules in various ways.

     According to helpguide.org, “If you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium [or balance], as well as your physical health.” But on a more positive note, the website mentions that “effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive.”

    For most students, the largest stressor seems to be school and homework. Juniors Julia Harris, Dominic Liudvinaitis, Haley Shoemaker, and Onie Woodward all reported this to be what they stress out over the most; Liudvinaitis even called the amount of work he has “overwhelming.”

     Woodward and Liudvinaitis both also reported chores to be an additional stressor; and in particular for Woodward, keeping her room cleaned. However, all four of these students have their own ways to destress and take time for themselves which makes these concerns easier to manage.

     Harris stated, “I do competitive cheer which is an outlet for me to forget everything else that has happened throughout the day and helps make things seem normal again.” She also pointed out that cheer is the thing that makes her feel the most relaxed.

     She explained that at cheer she needs to “worry about the safety of others instead of thinking about [her] own problems” and that the “intense workout releases endorphins” which boosts Harris’ mood.

     On the other hand, Liudvinaitis is able to cope best when he’s “reconnecting with [his] roots” in nature. He pointed out how calming it is for him to watch the “beauty and gracefulness” of animals like birds and squirrels. Aside from this, he copes by working out, taking hot baths and listening to music.

     Shoemaker has found that picking up the hobby of crocheting has helped her to destress. She explained “I’ve been crocheting for about 4 months and I got into it because I needed a new hobby.” She continued on to say, “it helps me because it gives me something to do for hours, and it shows a finished product!” Shoemaker even plans to sell her work on Instagram under the handle @hales_crocht.

     Last but not least, Woodward is helped the most by “music, hiking, kayaking, meditating, reading, and working out.” She explained that she can channel all of her “frustrations and stress” into these activities and “focus on something” other than her struggles.

     Woodward’s closing statement is that “if you don’t take the time for yourself, it’s just so much harder, mentally and physically, to get through days of school or just to do everyday, regular things. That’s why it is so important to find even as little as five minutes for yourself.”