By: Summer Bixler

One of the most common factors in high school is the stress that comes with it. Whether it comes to homework, drama, or family issues, everyone finds themselves in a time of stress. Everyone reacts differently to stressors in their lives, but it’s important to find a method that works for you to help relieve the stress. Luckily, there are several different strategies so you can find one that works for you.

Do something calming
One method to help relieve stress is by doing something calming, even if it’s an activity that you normally wouldn’t do. Some good ways to calm down include going on a walk, drawing or coloring a picture, or even doing some mindful meditation exercises.

By doing something calming, you’re giving your mind and body time to calm down and get some of the stress jitters out. After releasing some of the jitters, you will be able to effectively tackle whatever’s stressing you out with a clear mind.

Do something you love
If doing something calming isn’t something you’re interested in, try doing something familiar that you love. Doing something you love will release endorphins and make you happier, in return calming your stress.

Doing something you love can look different for everyone. This may be working out, hanging out with friends, or even going to work. Even if it doesn’t solve the stress, it can help relieve it long enough for you to work through it.

Senior Oliva Kalloor has a full schedule of difficult classes and serves as the Student Government vice president. “I love art, so I usually turn to that,” Kaloor said.

Talk to someone you trust
Talking to someone you trust can help you relieve stress by getting your feelings out and not bottling them up. This could include talking to a family member, a friend, a teacher, or even a pet.

Ranting to someone who cares about you can help you calm down, and even give you a new outlook on how to handle stress. Handling a hard situation in life is never something you should do, because you don’t want to overwhelm yourself; you always want to have someone there to support you.

Tackle the stress
The best and most effective way to tackle stress is by getting rid of the stressors altogether. This may be easier in some situations than others, but it’s never impossible no matter what. By facing the stress head-on and getting it over with as soon as possible, you will get a happier outcome in the long run.

If the stressor is homework, do your homework as soon as you get it or as soon as you get home. Senior Oliver Alban is known for being a stand-out student who serves as the National Honor Society co-president. “I stay on top of everything,” Alban said. “Getting behind and letting everything pile up is not worth it.”

If the stressor is a messy room, get up and clean your room. If the stressor is an argument with someone you love, text them calmly and try to work through whatever happened. Whatever it may be, work for a solution to fix it.