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Hello and welcome back to The Secret Of Life. 

Today’s topic is stress: how we feel stress, what the biggest causes of stress are and how we deal with stress.

Let’s talk about how stress affects us and how we feel it. 

According to Mind.org, stress can cause a person to be “irritable, angry, impatient or wound up. Overburdened or overwhelmed. Anxious, nervous or afraid.”

Stress can cause people to act differently than they normally would which is why it is important to recognize if you are acting due to stress or not.

It could even lead to saying or doing things that one regrets.

In a poll conducted by @rcrockmedia on Instagram Dec. 12, results concluded that 90% of students voted that their main cause of stress is school.

“My biggest cause of stress is probably friendships and school. When I feel stressed, I [want] to crawl into bed and sleep, which usually helps,” Alyssa Harden ‘24 said.

In my opinion, some of the biggest reasons people stress are because of either school or work. This is not to say that either of those are bad things, I am simply saying that sometimes, as people, we let those things overtake our lives and become our central focus causing unnecessary stress for individuals.

Some ways to deal with stress, recommended by Mayoclinic.org:

• Get regular physical activity on most days of the week.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Try deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or massage.
• Keep a sense of humor.
• Spend time with family and friends.
• Set aside time for hobbies. Read a book, listen to music or go for a walk. Schedule time for your passions.
• Write in a journal.
• Get enough sleep.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Stay away from tobacco and alcohol use, and use of illegal substances.

The most important thing to remember when dealing with stress is to talk to people. If emotions, thoughts or feelings ever become too overbearing, there are always people available to talk to.

Some existing resources for emotional and mental wellness are:

Safe2Tell: call 1-877-542-7233 or report here.

Colorado Crisis Line: 1-844-493-8255

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Students are always able to talk to a school counselor, peer counselor or another trusted adult in the building.