Stress may seem uncontrollable, and like it can have no use at all. Schoolwork gets too much too quick, you need to babysit your younger siblings, your chores need to be done, and you probably have some sort of other extracurricular activity that takes up many hours of your day. However, it’s more manageable and even more useful than you may think.

Firstly, being able to lower levels of stress and utilize it are extremely important abilities,  as it’s easy for the stress to rapidly accumulate and overwhelm you. When we put on a mask for others or ourselves and pretend like the stress isn’t there, this gets even worse. It causes somewhat of a water balloon over your head where the stress gets uncontrollably heavy, and then pops, subsequently spilling onto you and anyone around you, lots of times filling up their balloons in the process. In other words, if we don’t discuss our problems, and they get overwhelming, something will be the last straw, and we’ll just snap, causing us to intemperately take it out on the people we love, or ourselves.

Secondly, you’re likely wondering how you can do this. “For me, there are little things that help, like going outside and working out,” says CHS teacher, Mr.Sobotka when asked how to deal with stress. This is true because lots of times you just regain energy from simply going outside and getting some fresh air, as well as just feeling the wave of euphoria that is gained after working out. “Having people to talk to also helps, as well as getting healthy levels of sleep” Mr. Sobotka continues, listing off more ways to lower stress rates. This is a fact since talking to people, even without it being about the stress, helps you to feel more productive; however, it especially helps to rant and vent to people if you have overwhelming stress. It’s so important yet difficult for us humans to understand that we can’t fight every battle by ourselves, people CAN help you, make you feel better by giving advice like this or just simply being there for you. “See a professional if you’re being overwhelmed by stress, and make sure to stay hydrated and healthy,” Says CHS student Gavin Doran when asked what other students could do to manage stress. Friends, family, therapists, counselors, or just any person you feel comfortable talking to, simply listening and letting you put your problems into words helps to take a weight off your shoulders. Sleeping also obviously helps since healthy levels of sleep can increase our productivity, work quality, and motivation to do more. 

Most interestingly, stress, while we know it for being negative, we often don’t realize we can utilize it. I mean, think for a minute, when do you commonly get the most work done? When the deadline is an hour away. Stress heightens our senses, speed, and ability. If your brain feels dangered, you can jump higher and run faster; likewise, stress can also make your brain feel dangered and do the same thing with work. When are you more likely to fall asleep: when you know you have something in the bag, or when you’re panicking and rushing to do things? Not only this, but this sudden burst of adrenaline can help the people around you. “I think that when it manifests itself into a way that causes hyperactive energy, and someone like that engages with other people, those people can harness that energy and do good themselves and kind of lead; although, it can not only help other people but help the other people to help them,” Says CHS teacher, Mrs.Street. This is true since, yes, having hyperactive energy can inspire the people around you and give them the same sort of levels.

Finally, it’s important to realize that stress is different for everyone and so are the ways to manage it. “It manifests itself differently in different people,” says Mrs.Street. Nobody; however, can fully eliminate stress. These are ways to kind of settle an overwhelming amount, but not get rid of them. Sometimes the best way to deal with stress is simply avoiding it in the first place. As Mr.Sobotka says, “Just remove whatever you can and try not to add any other stress, know your limits.”