During the pandemic, teens have more reasons to be stressed than ever. However, learning how to manage stress is an important life skill for both the present and the future.
Here are some ways you can manage stress:
Avoid procrastination
Procrastination is easily one of the top ways to avoid getting overwhelmed. However, avoiding procrastination is easier said than done, as many of us have learned the hard way. There are simple steps you can take to make sure you do not procrastinate.
Get enough sleep: you are able to focus better when well-rested. Better focus allows you to avoid distractionsAn adequate amount of sleep also helps reduce stress.
Manage break time: be sure to reward yourself with enough breaks. Working for long periods of time at one go can make you less productive. Conversely, don’t take too many breaks. After each break, you have to get back into the groove of working, which will waste time, so take breaks only when you need to. Every person works differently, and you have to figure out your break schedule to have maximum productivity.
Break down big tasks: completing a whole science project sounds daunting, but breaking it down to smaller tasks (coming up with an idea, purpose, hypothesis, procedure) and completing one per day or so seems much more manageable. Just like this, any task can be broken down to smaller steps to make it simpler.
Forget motivation: this may seem contradicting, but you don’t always have to be motivated in order to get work done. Motivation eventually runs out. Highly productive people do not work on tasks only when motivated (although that is great), but also when not. When you are not motivated to finish your work, say this aloud to yourself: “So what?” This helps wire your brain into thinking having motivation is not the only way to get work done.
Slow down
Taking on big tasks and projects may seem like a good way to stay productive at first, but you will soon grow tired of working so hard. Instead, take on only how much you can manage, and no more. Leave time for yourself to have fun and do other activities you enjoy.
Find ways to relax
Whether it is listening to music, going for a run, or playing with your pet or sibling, having a go-to method for relaxation is extremely beneficial in the long run. If there is nothing you can think of, then try something new. Start drawing or yoga. Who knows, you could discover something you love.
Take care of your health
Health is crucial when it comes to anything, but especially crucial for stress. Make sure you find time to exercise during your busy day. Additionally, find healthy food to eat. A good meal will keep you energized, allowing for more work to get done.
Remember, while being stressed allows you to get tons of work done, it is bad for your health. Take these initiatives to avoid and manage stress.
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