It is not a secret that everyone struggles with feeling stressed. Whether that is in school, sports, work or everyday life, stress is a consistent challenge. National Stress Awareness Month is observed every April and highlights ways to healthily manage stress. April is a time for students and teachers to remember the importance of taking care of their minds and bodies so everyone is able to stay healthy regardless of stress.
Stress is connected with all parts of the body. It can affect the mind, muscles, feelings, thoughts and behavior. That being said, stress is not always a bad thing. It can help people focus on work they need to get done and meet important deadlines. However, if it is not taken seriously, it can get out of control and result in a decline in health. This includes heart problems, excessive drinking, smoking and overeating. There are tactics that can ensure your stress levels do not become unhealthy.
According to the Mayo Clinic Hospital, the best ways to manage your stress is to get enough sleep, eat healthy, meditate, connect with others and seek counseling. OHS is home to a counseling office where kids can go for support. Whether it is scheduling issues, mental health or needing someone to talk to, the counseling center is available to all students.
OHS counselor Ms. Tami Langlois said, “Sometimes the natural tendency is to look towards not the greatest coping skills of destructive behaviors like drugs, alcohol or self harm. So, we like to help the students understand positive ways to deal with stress.” Langlois and all the other school counselors invite students who are looking for extra help to stop in the counseling office and schedule a meeting. They offer one-on-one counseling, mindfulness groups and school clubs related to stress. One of the most well known clubs at OHS is Thriving Minds. They are a youth-oriented group that helps advocate for a variety of mental health issues.
Spring can be a stressful time for students who are preparing for the ACT, prom and the end of the school year. Senior Afton Torabpour said, “Some advice I would give to people is to make it fun when dealing with stress in school. Go get something to drink that you like or listen to music. Just something that makes it not as serious.” She also encourages students to make lists when feeling overwhelmed. It helps her when she has too much on her plate.
The month of April is a reminder to check in on oneself and one another. Yes, stress is a part of life but there are ways to keep it from getting out of control. The OHS counseling center is available to all students in need of extra support.
