Teens in high school are faced with plenty of stress, especially as us students at RMHS head toward Midterm exams. We have to juggle multiple activities everyday like schoolwork, sports, volunteer work and extracurricular activities. Teens also have huge amounts of pressure on them about their future lives after high school. As a junior, I can vouch for this high anxiety level. At every family gathering, I am constantly pestered about college...and after a while, it gets extremely annoying. This stress can build up and affect the way a student performs in school along with also having a negative effect on themselves and others around them. Stress has a harmful effect on everyone so it is important to have ways to destress when one gets overloaded. Here are some of your fellow classmates ways of destressing.
Shannon Letendre a freshman at RMHS says she hangs out with her friends when she gets stressed. She says it is an easy way for her to forget about her problems and to just have fun! Studies show that hanging out with a friend can reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol. If one has elevated levels of cortisol it could interfere with one's learning and memory while also raising one's blood sugar.
Katie Kneeland a Sophomore at RMHS has multiple ways to destress, she says reading a book, listening to music and swimming all help her control her stress levels. She also says that she talks to others that have similar problems to her. Talking to someone about your stress is a great way to lift the weight off of one's shoulders and to receive some advice as well.
Anna Roberts a Junior at RMHS says she plays with her dog, Zoey, to destress. Playing with a pet can increase levels of the stress reducing hormone oxytocin while also decreasing the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
Jillian Rhodes a Senior at RMHS says she goes to swim practice to destress. Jillian says that going to practice gives her a break from all her schoolwork. When she is swimming, she forgets all of her stress and focuses on working hard in the pool. Going to practice also gives her a chance to catch up with her friends on the team, she knows that during practice she will be able to have a great time laughing with her friends.
