Eating Disorders
Over 8,000,000 or more people in the United States have an eating disorder, and 90% of those people are women. Victims may be rich or poor. Eating disorders are mostly common in teenagers but can being as early as age 8.
The idealization of thinness has caused distorted body image and unrealistic measures of beauty and success. Research has shown that many normal weight and even underweight girls are dissatisfied with their body and are choosing inappropriate behaviors to control their appetite and food intake. Cultural and media influences enhance the belief that women should be more concerned with their appearance than with their own ideas or achievements. A lot of females spend more time focusing on how they look than what they’re actually capable of. The truth is, there are ways to be happy, healthy and thin while still taking care of your body. Eating disorders can be very scary and very lonely, too. But remember, they can be overcome.
Test your self-worth by challenging yourself physically, mentally and intellectually. This will make you strong, capable and confident. Do safe things you’ve never attempted to do before, prove yourself wrong that you’re not good enough to succeed, because you are. And never forget that YOU are beautiful. Eating disorders cans come from:
having low self-esteem, feelings of lack of control in life, depression and anxiety. Other factors may include: troubled family and personal relationships, difficulty expressing emotions or feeling, history of being teased about size or weight and history of physical or sexual abuse.
Three primary types of eating disorders are: Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is essentially self-starvation, a refusal to maintain a minimum normal body weight. People with eating disorders also may engage in self-induced vomiting and abuse of laxatives, diuretics or exercise in order to control their weight. People with this disorder see themselves as overweight even though they are dangerously thin. The condition may lead them to become emaciated and, in severe cases, anorexia can be life-threatening. Bulimia Nervosa People suffering with bulimia follow a routine of secretive, uncontrolled eating followed by inappropriate ways of trying to rid the body of food before it is digested. This includes vomiting and /or misuse of laxatives, diet pills, water pills, excessive exercise or fasting. Because many people with bulimia “binge and purge” in secret and maintain normal or above the normal body weight, they can often hide the disorder from others. Binge-eating disorder
People with binge-eating disorder experience frequent episodes of out-of-control eating, with the same binge-eating symptoms as those with bulimia. The main difference is that individuals with binge-eating disorder do not purge their bodies of excess calories. Therefore, many with the disorder are overweight for their age and height. Feelings of self-disgust and shame associated with this illness can lead to binging again, creating a cycle of binge eating.
If you think you have a problem or are beginning to form an unhealthy obsession with food and with your body, there are ways to seek help. If you know someone who has acquired an unhealthy fixation with diet and exercise, encourage them to speak up. Be good to yourself and be good to your friends and let’s not let this problem go unnoticed. It’s time to make a change. For additional information and resources on eating disorders, visit: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ http://www.something-fishy.org/
To get information on healthy eating and good exercise habits, among other teenage issues, visit: http://www.teenagelife.org/page.php?pid=9
Peer Pressure
With August being the month of new beginnings, a lot of added stress and pressure comes along with all of these changes, including changing grades, making new friends, even starting a new school. Teenagers experience new challenges as these changes unfold, like starting new sports or hobbies, finding new interests and trying to ‘fit in’ with new and different groups of friends.
Sometimes when we are unfamiliar with changes happening in our lives, we will go to extremes to win over new friends or to do things that we are not used to doing. Sometimes this is a good thing, and sometimes it can turn into a bad thing. With all of this pressure, sometimes it is hard just to say “no”, look away, walk the other way, or always make the best decisions.
In whatever form, all teenagers experience some form of peer pressure during their teenage years. Sometimes teenagers will even go against his or her beliefs in order to be part of a group. Some teenagers report that they have felt pressure to participate in high-risk behaviors, sometimes even activities involving drugs and alcohol, sex, skipping school, violence, overspending money, ignoring responsibilities at school such as homework, or acting disrespectfully towards your parents or your teachers.
The good news is that there are two types of peer pressure: positive peer pressure and negative peer pressure. There are ways to avoid the negative kind of peer pressure, and also a way to help your friends or classmates stay on the positive side of pressure as well. If you have given into behaviors that don’t make you feel good about yourself, or that would make your family upset if they found out about it, there are still ways to seek out help and to replace these behaviors with one’s that make you feel good about the way that you are actively participating in your own life. Remember, we need leaders and followers to make the world go around, but the difference between positive and negative peer pressure is the outcome.
Please feel free to visit the websites below if you have ever found yourself in a situation where you just didn’t know how to say “no”, or if you would like to prepare yourself to make the right choices if stressful peer pressure situations like this come up over the upcoming new and exciting school year:
You are sitting there calmly working on homework when BAM! It hits you…stress. Pretty much everyone, from babies up to seniors, experience different levels of stress throughout their lives. But teen stress is an often-overlooked type of stress and this article will help you understand more about why a teen experiences stress.
What are some of the triggers, or stressors as they are called, that make us feel stressed? There is a myriad of situations but a few common ones include:
Worries over school and homework
Relationship changes
Family demands
Health concerns
Puberty
Physical danger
These stressors can cause problems when they are constant. For example you could:
Lose sleep
Perform poorly in school
React aggressively
Become overwhelmed
Become physically altered with bloodshot baggy eyes, swollen feet, aching back and increased blood pressure.
These can lead to further emotional or physical problems such as depression or health concerns that compound as you get older. But stress is not in itself a bad thing all of the time. In fact, did you know that your body has a natural response mechanism to help you deal with stress? It's called the fight or flight response. Your body reacts to the stress triggers, or stressors, by powering up some specific hormones and the nervous system. The hormones increase your breathing, heart, blood, and metabolism. You muscles then are taunt and ready for action and your vision even improves. Sweat glands chug into overdrive and many times you'll notice an overdose of sweat in stressful situations. As mentioned before, this is the flight or fight reaction and can be incredibly helpful to you in an immediate stressful spot. All the above can help you react with increased speed and agility, in effect your body goes into pressure mode and you can perform better. Good stress can help you hit that home run, slam on the brakes to avoid an accident or remember all your lines in the school play.
However when stress is long-term, or your body overreacts to the situation, this stress response can be a bad thing. Why? Because if your body keeps going into pressure mode, it can tax your extra reserves of hormones and overworks your body.
Other articles in this category provide stress statistics, warning signs of teen stress for parents, stress prevention helps, tips for handling stress in a way that can help you avoid future health problems related to teen stress, the difference between anxiety and stress, where to get help for overwhelming or depression-causing stress and ideas for reacting to the various stressors in your life. Parents can learn how to help their teenagers discover how to cope with their stress. Teenagers who understand stress, what causes it, and how to deal with gain valuable lessons to help them deal with their stress throughout their life.
What is Teen Stress Sources:
1. Medline Plus:Health Topics Teens Health [online].
2. Confronting Teen Stress: Meeting the Challenge in Baltimore City [pdf file, online].
With the divorce rate so high today, the rate of children living with stepfamilies has also increased (to 33%). It’s often hard for children who have dealt with their parent’s divorce to be faced with “new parents”. While they are adults and deserve respect, your stepparent does not have to take the place of your biological parent. It’s important to try to build a positive relationship with your stepparent, since they are a part of your parent’s life.
Dealing with Your New Family:
· It takes time. Your new family is not going to run perfectly at first, because everyone has to get used to the new situation. Don’t blame yourself if things go wrong at first.
· Continue to show love for both parents. It can be very hard on parents when children choose sides, so try to be neutral.
· Do not be the messenger. If your parents are asking you to relay messages or money and it makes you feel uncomfortable, be sure to express your feelings. Don’t let them put you in a position you aren’t happy with.
· Do an activity with your stepparent. If you never reach out to your stepparent, they can never get close to you. It’s okay to be friends with them, don’t feel like you’re betraying your other parent.
· Talk about your feelings honestly. If you’re unhappy at home, your parents need to know what they can do to make things better. Make sure you are expressing your needs honestly and promptly. It’s not healthy to keep anger inside.
Many teens are tempted by peer pressure to experiment with substances such as illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Though you might think it’ll make you popular and people will want to hang out with you more, there are things you need to know about the long-term effects of being addicted to drugs.
Facts about Marijuana:
All forms of marijuana are mind altering and change how the brain functions.
Marijuana contains more than 400 other chemicals
Contrary to popular belief, most teenagers have not used marijuana and never will
Fewer than 25% of high school seniors are users.
The effect of marijuana is intensified by drinking alcohol or using other drugs.
Short term effects include: memory & learning problems, distorted perception, loss of coordination and increased heart rate.
Facts about Cocaine:
Cocaine is a stimulant that causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to increase.
Large amounts of cocaine lead to bizarre, erratic, and violent behavior
Snorting cocaine can lead to loss of sense of smell and nosebleeds
Many users find that the pleasure from the first high cannot be achieved again.
Pregnant women who use cocaine run the risk of their child having developmental problems including attention deficit disorder.
If you or someone you know has a drug addiction, talk to an adult and seek help at a substance abuse treatment facility.
Many teens don’t think that drinking alcohol is a big deal since its legal once you’re 21. The truth is, though, that frequent drinking can lead to serious health problems you may not be aware of. The younger a teen is when he/she starts drinking, the more likely they are to become addicted. Those who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to be dependent on alcohol than someone who waits until they’re 21.
Why to Avoid Alcohol Underage:
Alcohol is involved in a high percentage of serious violent crimes committed by teenagers.
Drinking leads to aggressive behavior, because it lowers your inhibitions.
Teens that drink are more likely to attempt suicide.
Even if you don’t drink for the rest of your life, the medical problems caused by excessive drinking can last for years after a person stops drinking.
Signs You or Your Friend Has a Drinking Problem
Getting drunk on a regular basis
Thinking alcohol is necessary to have fun
Feeling run-down, depressed, or suicidal
Having blackouts- forgetting what he/she did while drinking
Having problems at school
Giving up activities he/she used to enjoy, such as playing sports or hanging out with friends
If you recognize these behaviors in a family member, friend, or yourself, the right thing to do is get help. If left untreated, alcohol abuse can be a lifelong problem. If you need help, ask a trusted adult, or call an alcohol crisis hotline (1-800-ALCOHOL) to get outside help for your problem.
When your family breaks up, it’s hard on everyone, and sometimes teens blame themselves for their parents break-up. It’s important to remember that what happens between your parents is their problem and you are not to blame. Harboring feelings of guilt and anger toward the divorce can lead to high levels of unhealthy stress. When coping with this pain, keep these things in mind:
Coping with Divorce
· Remember it’s not your fault. Parents often divorce for reasons that have nothing to do with the children, even though they are the ones most affected. Most likely your parents just couldn’t live in harmony together anymore.
· Understand healing takes time. It may be years before the pain of your family’s break-up heals; don’t rush the healing process.
· Don’t make one parent a hero. There are two sides to every story, so don’t automatically take one side without hearing the other parent’s story.
· Create clear personal boundaries. When going through a divorce, parents sometimes treat the children more as friends and give a lot of personal information about their relationship. Make sure you know that even though your parent’s relationship is changing, you are still their child and that won’t change.
· Your feelings are normal. Many children often feel angry at themselves and their parents when going through a divorce. Make sure you talk to someone outside of the family about these issues.
· Keep in touch. If your parents move far apart, it’s important to keep in touch with both of them, even if you just write them a quick email to update them on your lives. Make sure you try to maintain the parent-child relationship.
· Talk about your family’s future. Divorce often brings with it money issues or moving to different places. Take time to sit down with your parents and figure these things out to take the stress off of you. Let your parents take care of the situation.
· Focus on the positives. In the beginning, the divorce may seem really hard, but think of the good in it. Your parents (and you) may now be happier because they have removed themselves from a negative situation. Many teens find they are happier after the divorce because their parents don’t fight as much.
· Ask for help. If you’re feeling completely overwhelmed by the situation and feel that you can’t talk to either of your parents, go to a trusted friend, teacher or guidance counselor. If your family is willing, encourage them all to go to family counseling with you to work out issues that may arise during the divorce process.
· You’re not alone. Did you know that as of 2006, 50% of marriages in America end in divorce? That means that you have a huge support network if you need someone to talk to. There are plenty of people out there who have probably had similar experiences and can give you tips on how to cope with the situation better.
After their parents divorce, many teens find out things about themselves. From watching what happened to your parents, you know what things to work on in your own personal relationships. Even though it’s a very hard situation that many people deal with, it’s okay to take something good out of it. Don’t feel like you have to be upset about it forever, it’s okay to move on and live your own life.
Running Away
Why Running Away Isn’t the Answer
Sources: National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000 CYFS Crisis Hotline 434-972-SAFE
Running away is often a solution that teens use to literally escape from their problems at home. There are indeed some situations in which a teen needs to be taken out of the home, but a professional should always be involved at that point. If you feel that you need to leave home, it’s best to talk to your parents or another trusted adult about the situation and a safe place for you to stay. You should never leave home without a place to go or without telling your parents where you’ll be. If you are in an abusive situation at home and can’t talk to your parents, then call the police and tell them what’s going on. You can always call a crisis hotline and talk to a counselor there if you need to vent your frustrations or concerns.
Helping Friends Who Want to Run Away
Sources: National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000
If you have a friend who has told you they want to run away from home, you should immediately let an adult know about the situation and assure your friend that things will get better and tell them they shouldn’t leave. If you think your friend is in danger at home, urge them to contact the police or help them to call a runaway/crisis hotline. There are always people you can call to talk you through the situation, and it sometimes help to have a friend around for support. If your friend needs to get out of the house for their own safety, help them locate a local shelter where they can stay safely until the issue is resolved.
What to Do In Crisis Situations: Helpful Programs
Sources: National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000
There are many programs created just for helping kids get back home once they run away, or to deal with family issues once the youth returns home. Here are some programs and their benefits:
· KidsCall-1-800-TO BE SAFE is a number for the National Runaway Switchboard, meant to ensure that all youth have access to a safe place when they have nowhere else to turn. This service helps reconnect kids with their families with the option of a safe return home.
· Conference Calls- If you’re on the run and feel that you’re ready to talk to your parents, you can call the National Runaway Switchboard to set up a conference call to your parents. A counselor will stay on the line with you and your parents to try to help you work out your problems.
· Runaway Emergency Services Program- Serving Charlottesville, Albemarle, Green, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Nelson counties, this program of Children, Youth and Family services provides shelter for up to 14 days (with counseling every day in shelter) and counseling thereafter for teens 11-18. There is also a crisis hotline 24 hrs/day at 434-972-SAFE.
· Home Free- This service is for runaways who want to return home to their parents. NRS administers a program for teens 12-21 with Greyhound Bus Lines to ride home free. You have to make a conference call to your parents with someone from NRS. They then obtain a copy of your runaway report and make travel arrangements for you to return home if they feel you and your parents are ready.
When returning home, make sure that both you and your parents are ready to talk about your problems and work on having a better relationship.
Trauma
Reactions: Physical & Emotional
Sources: Patti Levin, LICSW, www.apa.org
After experiencing a trauma, many people experience a wide range of normal physical and emotional reactions. Trauma not only affects those who experience it first-hand, but also those who witness or hear about the trauma, or are involved with someone who it affected. Here are some normal reactions to abnormal events:
Physical Reactions
Aches and pains like headaches, backaches, stomach aches
Sudden sweating and/or heart palpitations
Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
Constipation or diarrhea
Easily startled by noises or unexpected touch
More susceptible to colds and illnesses
Increased use of alcohol or drugs and/or overeating
Emotional Reactions
Shock and disbelief
Fear and/or anxiety
Grief, disorientation, denial
Hyper-alertness
Irritability, outbursts of anger
Mood swings
Worrying or having intrusive thoughts about the trauma
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Feelings of helplessness, panic
Need to control everyday experiences
Minimizing the experience
Attempts to avoid anything associated with the trauma
Tendency to isolate oneself
Feeling of detachment
Concern over burdening others with problems
Emotional numbing
Difficulty trusting
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of self-blame
Shame
Loss of sense of order
Coping With Trauma
Sources: www.trauma-pages.com Patti Levin
People are usually surprised that reactions to trauma can last longer than they expected. There is no time frame for recovery; it could take weeks to years, depending on the severity of the trauma, level of involvement in the trauma, and level of support.
Coping Strategies
Reach out to others with similar experiences
Talk about the trauma, feel free to cry
Exercise and maintain a well-balanced diet
Relaxation through yoga, stretching, massage
Avoid over-using stimulants like caffeine, sugar or nicotine
Be socially active
Commit to something personally meaningful
Write about your experiences in detail, just for yourself or to share with others if you want
Stress & Anger
Stress & Anger Management Techniques
Stress is the natural “wear and tear” we feel as our bodies adjust to a changing environment. Stress has physical and emotional effects, that when recognized can be dealt with effectively.
Anger is an emotion that we all feel, but there are ways to use it positively. Negative anger is harmful and leads to hostility and aggression, while positive anger is constructive and leads to motivation. Often anger is used to cover up other, stronger emotions such as: fear, doubt, frustration, rejection, guilt, and hurt.
Stress Management Tips:
Be aware of what stresses you out- don’t ignore sources of stress
Recognize what you can change. See if you can avoid your stressors or shorten your exposure to them.
Reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions to stress. Evaluate whether or not you are exaggerating your stressors. Are they as bad as they seem?
Moderate physical reactions. Try to use relaxed breathing to calm yourself down. Take control of your reactions by being aware of your stress points.
Stay healthy and fit. Eat well balanced meals, maintain a healthy weight, and do cardiovascular exercises 2-3 times a week.
Accept support. Surround yourself with mutually supportive relationships.
Anger Management Tips:
Have a positive attitude. Practice patience, tolerance and a good sense of humor.
Use these self-talk statements: Is this worth getting upset about? I will remain calm with difficult people. I am okay no matter what.
Practice active listening. Make sure you are hearing what the other person is trying to tell you.
Express feelings honestly. The best way to get rid of anger is to express what you feel and what made you feel that way.
Channel anger into a constructive activity. Often running or other forms of exercise will release the negative anger stored in your body. This is a safe solution to releasing anger.
In childhood, boys and girls seem to be at equal risk for depression, but during adolescence girls are twice as likely to develop depression. Children and adolescents who develop depression are more likely to have a family history, often a parent who was depressed at an early age.
Symptoms:
Persistent sad/irritable mood
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Loss of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Significant change in appetite or body weight
Risk Factors
Stress
Smoking
Loss of a parent or loved one
Break-up of a romantic relationship or family
Attention, conduct or learning disorders
Chronic illnesses
Abuse or neglect
Other trauma, including natural disasters
Sometimes it can be hard to express your feelings when you’re depressed, so if you know someone that you suspect is depressed, make sure you talk with them and consider the possibility of getting professional help.
When should a referral to a mental health professional be made?
Since it can sometimes be hard to separate normal teen behavior from that of a teen in trouble, here are a few indicators:
Dramatic behavior changes. A teen’s home, school, and social life are the arenas for observing behavior changes. If you are at school with a friend and notice differences in their normal behavioral patterns, let someone know.
Extraordinary pressure. You know your friends best, so if you think they’re under a lot of pressure trying to keep up with school and/or work, ask them if everything’s okay. If they disclose to you that they need help, don’t hesitate to get it for them.
Isolation. If you have friends that suddenly don’t want to hang out anymore and are not participating in their normal activities, try to find out what’s bothering them. Extreme isolation is often a sign of clinical depression.
Death wish. Don’t ever dismiss a friend’s mentioning that they might commit suicide. You may want to think that they’re only kidding or want attention, but you never know what someone’s true motives are. Take any death threat seriously.
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of depression and have someone that you can talk to should you have a friend you think is in need of help. If you think in any way that a friend might hurt themselves or someone else, tell an adult immediately so they can get help for your friend.
More Help If you find that you need more support in this area, please call our 24 Hour Teen Hotline at 972-SAFE to talk about this issue, or anything else you might be struggling with. We can talk to you confidentially, and refer you to a counselor or service that would best fit your need.
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health, Issues In Children’s Mental Health
Web Risks Sources: National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000
The internet is a great place for teens to talk to their friends, get information and meet new people. However, you never know who you are talking with when you go into a chat room. People can easily falsify information about themselves, so never get yourself into an uncomfortable situation where someone you don’t know wants to meet face to face. There are also many websites that may have inappropriate information (sexually graphic, violent in nature, hateful attitudes towards different cultures). The good thing about the web is that you can instantly remove yourself from these situations. Also don’t give out any personal information about yourself. No one has the right to know your personal address, your phone number, where you live or anything else you don’t want them to know.
Tips to Remember:
Never give out personal information in a chat room that could let someone know where you live.
Never meet face-to-face with someone you meet online without having a parent or guardian with you.
Avoid chat rooms based around topics that make you uncomfortable.
Remember that even in ‘teen only’ chat rooms, the people you chat with might just be posing as teens.
Sometimes you need someone to talk to and can do that in a chat room-that’s fine, just be careful about it going any farther than friendly chatting.
More Help If you find that you need more support in this area, please call our 24 Hour Teen Hotline at 972-SAFE to talk about this issue, or anything else you might be struggling with. We can talk to you confidentially, and refer you to a counselor or service that would best fit your need.
Self-Harm
Understanding Self-Injurious Behavior Sources: www.prponline.net It is important to understand that self-harm is, first and foremost, a coping strategy often employed by teens who have survived a trauma or are feeling depressed. Usually a life event triggers negative feelings of being a failure and not having control over their life. Cutting gives them a way to be in control of what happens to them. Because of the negative feelings and stress that comes with trauma, tension builds and eventually the person dissociates (or is less aware of their surroundings). The dissociation allows the teen to detach from their own body, therefore not feeling the pain of cutting or other forms of harm. The bleeding that comes from cutting gives off a feeling of letting all the bad out and the person feels high or euphoric.
In many cases the person harming themselves either does not remember doing it, or feels powerless to stop their behavior, as if they have no control over the situation. This can be a sign of prior abuse or depression. If you suspect that you know someone who demonstrates this behavior, it’s pertinent to report it to a parent, guidance counselor, or trusted adult who can get them help. If the behavior is not stopped it can be extremely dangerous for the teen.
How to Stop Cutting The most important thing to do once self-injurious behavior is recognized is to talk about it with a professional. Sometimes just talking about the problem can help stop the pattern of harm, while in other cases anti-depressant medication may be used to help the teen feel better. Self expression through journaling, drawing, meditation, etc. has also proved to be extremely helpful in healing and releasing tension. More Help If you find that you need more support in this area, please call our 24 Hour Teen Hotline at 972-SAFE to talk about this issue, or anything else you might be struggling with. We can talk to you confidentially, and refer you to a counselor or service that would best fit your need.
Surviving a Break-Up
Sources: National Runaway Switchboard Teenage break-ups can be very emotional, and make us wonder what went wrong. Sometimes we blame things on ourselves or think that we’re not good enough. Instead of having these negative thoughts and feelings, it’s good to explore the relationship and find what you learned from it. Here are some things to think about when getting over a break-up:
How to Move On:
Give yourself time to heal. Getting over someone you care about takes time, don’t rush this process.
Talk to people you trust. Let them know how they can help you, even if that means just listening to you. You might ask them for suggestions from their own experience. Help them to help you.
Know you’re not alone. Almost everyone has gone through a break-up and knows that it can be frustrating. Be willing to take advice from others.
Find outlets for your energy. Take the time you would have spent with your boyfriend/girlfriend and do something creative! Write down your thoughts, draw pictures, run a marathon, etc. Do something just for you.
Remember to laugh. Even though it seems like a serious time, you have to remember to keep your sense of humor and not fall into depression. Be with people who make you laugh.
Take in some sunlight. Light, bright rooms and plenty of sunshine are a great way to start feeling better.
Seek counseling. If you are feeling depressed and cannot function normally (staying in bed all day, not talking or eating, etc.), look into getting some outside help. Also, if you realize that this issue is causing you and your parents to fight a lot, and it makes you feel like leaving home, call our 24-Hour Runaway Hotline for support 434-972-SAFE (7233). We can help you and your parents talk about these issues in a safe and calm manner and work on ways to help prevent you from running away or leaving home.
Exams are often a source of stress for students, because they feel the need to get a high score to prove their own self-worth. Especially in high school, a lot of stress is put on success and furthering your education, but only you can decide what path is right in your life. The important thing to remember is that no one is perfect and not every test can have a perfect score. Here are some stress management tips when preparing for an exam:
Stress-Relieving Tips:
Believe in yourself. You are the person who best knows your ability. If you believe that you can do something, there is no need to worry excessively.
No one is perfect. Wanting to be successful is healthy, but it can be unhealthy to worry about grades too much. It’s good to maintain a balance between your own personal needs and your academics.
Try to overcome problems. If you don’t understand some material you’re studying, try working with a friend. Often a different perspective can help focus in on the problem.
Don’t keep your stress inside you. Talking to a friend or parent about your stress is a good way of alleviating the tension you might be feeling.
Keep things in perspective. Even though each test seems like a big deal at the time, each one is a small part of your entire life. Don’t make it bigger than it has to be.
Seek counseling. If you and your parents are fighting over a bad grade and you feel like leaving home, or if you get kicked out, call our 24-hour Runaway Hotline at (434) 972-SAFE (7233). We can help you and your parents talk about school issues in a calm manner and work on ways to help prevent you from running away or leaving home.
