With the pressures of school (especially as finals approach), extracurricular activities, family and social relationships, teenagers are bound to feel overwhelmed and completely stressed out.

However, there are ways to manage stress and prevent it from becoming a chronic problem that affects both mental and physical health.

One of the most important ways to manage stress is to practice good self-care. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Taking care of your body helps to reduce stress and improve your overall health.

Another important way to manage stress is to learn time management. This means setting priorities, creating a schedule and sticking to it. Managing your time effectively can prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by the long list of things that need to get done. For example, make sure your school work is done in a timely manner so you won’t have a pileup at the end of the year.

If you have schoolwork that you need to complete right now, stop reading this and do it!  

If you’re feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, it’s also important to find support from friends, family or a mental health professional, if necessary. Talking to someone about your stress levels can help you gain perspective and find solutions to your problems. Sometimes it helps to let off a little steam.

Finally, it’s important to engage in activities that you enjoy so you can relax. This might include reading, listening to music, practicing mindfulness or meditation, or spending time in nature.

Remember, it’s always important to be nice to yourself.