The school year causes most teens to have daily stress because of multiple responsibilities in their lives.

As students continue their high school career, they are likely to face more work and responsibilities as time goes on. These commitments can cause an overwhelming amount of stress in a student’s life. However, there are many outlets to relieve some of this stress built up from the school week. By taking the time away from a routine school life, teens may be able to re-energize themselves for any new challenges they may face. 

The American Psychological Association states, “As children get older, their sources of stress expand. Teens are more likely than young children to be stressed by events or situations outside the home.”

One way to reduce stress is to find a personal creative outlet. Activities such as painting, cooking, and writing are some of the many ways to escape from the intensity of a school week. Spending time away from  routine life may give a student an opportunity to gather their thoughts. Any form of creativity can help teens relax and feel less overwhelmed. 

A study conducted at Drexel University states, “The researchers found that 75 percent of the participants’ cortisol levels during their 45 minutes of making art. And while there was some variation in how much cortisol levels lowered, there was no correlation between past art experiences and lower levels.”

Exercise is another way to help relieve stress from the school week. This option does not always mean intense and lengthy exercise. Light exercise may reduce the student’s internal levels of stress. By putting time aside to exercise, a teen may be able to calm themselves down from daily stress.

Harvard Medical School states, “The mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.”

A proper sleep schedule can help reduce daily stress as well. A well rested brain is more likely to manage a teen’s stress throughout the day. This is due to the person’s ability to have better judgement and concentration. Students who have a healthy and consistent sleep schedule may be able to lower stress levels. 

According to Health Day, “If you are feeling stressed out, getting enough sleep should be one of your top priorities. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, even if you feel like you can ‘get by’ on less.”

High school stress can become overwhelming because of the many commitments and responsibilities that teens have in their daily lives. By taking the time to relieve some of this tension, a student may feel more rested and energized when returning to school.