Handling Stress: Part 2

What are signs that you are stressed out?

Signs that you are stressed out include

• Feeling down, edgy, guilty, or tired
• Having headaches or stomachaches
• Having trouble sleeping
• Laughing or crying for no reason
• Blaming others for bad things that happen to you
• Wanting to be alone all the time (withdrawal)
• Not being able to see the positive side of a situation
• Not enjoying activities that you used to enjoy
• Feeling resentful of people or things you have to do
• Feeling like you have too many things you have to do

Are you stressed out about your body?

During young adulthood, your body is going through many changes that are happening at a fast pace. These changes might make you feel unsure of yourself at times, or stressed. They might make you worry about your size and wanting to fit in with the rest of the crowd.

See if you have some of the same worries other people may have about their bodies:

• Am I too skinny?
• Am I overweight?
• Why is my weight going up and down?
• Am I normal? Will others like me now that I am changing?
• My breasts are too small.
• My breasts are too large
• Why am I so emotional?
• Why am I getting pimples?
• Do my clothes look right on my body?
• That new dress style doesn't fit memy friends won't think I'm cool.

Changes in hormone levels can also cause mood swings for women, especially around their periods.

Try not to worry! Each person goes through changes at his or her own pace and all of these changes are normal. While you are experiencing this, keep your self-confidence up by taking good care of yourself, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise. Remember…you are unique and beautiful…just as you are.

What are ways you can handle stress?

Different people are stressed by different things. For example

• You might get upset or stressed when you don't make good grades but your friend might not.
• You might be able to handle doing classwork and being involved in extracurricular activities but your sister or friend might feel they can't do both.
• Your friend might see moving as a stressor but you might view it as an adventure.

There are no "right" or "wrong" things to stress overthere are just differences in what people consider to be stressful. No matter what stresses you out, there are many things you can try to help you deal with it.

How can you deal with the stress of a disaster or violent event?

Sometimes you are part of or have lived through a very stressful event such as a hurricane, a serious car accident, or an assault, like date rape. These kinds of scary events can cause a very strong stress reaction in the victims, but the reactions may be different for each person. Some become cranky or depressed, others can't sleep or have nightmares, some may keep reliving the experience, some might experience nervousness and their hearts might race, and some people put the event out of their minds. Feelings that lead to this type of stress include fear, a sense that your life is in danger, helplessness, or horror.

You don't have to be hurt to experience this type of stress. You can simply be a witness to the event or be threatened with physical harm to have this type of stressful reaction.

Whether or not you were directly affected by a traumatic event, it is normal to feel nervous about your own safety and wonder how you would react in an emergency. Here are some things you can do to handle this special kind of stress:

• You may think it feels better to pretend the event did not happen, but it is best to be honest about how you are feeling. Ignoring or hiding your feelings can be worse for your health in the long run. It is okay to feel scared and uncertain.
• Try to remember that, while you might feel like a changed person and everything seems off balance right now, your life will calm down and you will find a new normal groove.
• Talk to a professor, your parents, a friend, or a counselor about your sadness, anger, and other emotions. It can be tough to get started, but it is important to confide in someone you trust with your thoughts and feelings.
• It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused you or those you love great pain. This feeling is normal, but it is important to understand that it is useless to respond with more violence. Nothing good can come from using hateful words or actions.

While you will always remember and feel changed by the event, the feelings will become less painful over time. In learning to cope with tragedy, you will become stronger and better at handling stressful situations. You may also find yourself appreciating life and the people you love even more.

Can stress lead to more serious problems?

Yes! Struggling with major stress and low self-esteem issues can contribute to more serious problems such as eating disorders, hurting yourself, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and even suicide. Continued depression and thoughts about hurting or killing yourself are signs that it is time to seek help. Talk to someone you trust right away!