Simple Ways to Deal with Stress

Life can be stressful. Navigating school, home, and friends – maybe even a job on top of that; it can easily seem like you have 25 hours’ worth of things to do in your 24 hour day. Not to mention the nine-and-a-half hours of sleep experts say all teenagers need. Even just trying to think about doing everything can get a person stressed, and then you stress about being stressed, and you end up stressing more than actually doing things, so you feel even more stressed because you are not doing what you need to.

Stress can be complicated, so it makes a lot of sense that most people seem to ignore it. However, ignoring stress can deteriorate health and ruin relationships, negatively affect school performance and even cause depression if not taken care of properly. Thankfully, there is something that can be done, and don’t worry – it’s not very complicated, so you don’t need to stress about this, too. So take a deep breath and relax; your stress should be gone soon. Below are nine things you can do throughout the day – starting from when you wake up, to the moment you go to sleep – to reduce your daily stress.

1. Wake up early

It might seem like waking up earlier would add stress to your life, but it can actually help eliminate it. When you sleep in as late as possible before going to school or work, you end up getting a little more sleep, but you have to rush to get ready in the mornings. Even waking up 10 minutes earlier can help reduce stress. It can give you some extra time to space out in the shower, or even sit down and eat breakfast. Waking up earlier can create a more relaxed morning and a less stressful day.

2. Be on time

Whether you are walking to the bus stop or driving to school, it pays to be on time. Running down the hallway to make it to class on time raises your stress level and makes it so you cannot focus on what you are supposed to be learning as well. So, show up to class a couple of minutes earlier, find a seat and relax a little. Take a couple of seconds to breath and get ready to think about those trigonometry formulas.

3. Talk to people about how you are feeling

If you are feeling stressed, don’t worry – you are not the only one. Everyone feels stressed every once in a while, so talk to your friends about it. They might have some really good advice, or they might just be really good listeners. You choose your friends for a reason. Find one you trust and let them know how you are feeling. Talking about what is going on can be a relief in itself, and who knows – maybe they are feeling stressed, too, and were too afraid to talk about it.

4. Make lunch an actual break

Everyone gets a lunch break. It can be easy to use the time to work on homework due later in the day or catch up on assignments you already missed. While this might help your grades a little, it greatly adds to your stress level. Don’t do any homework during lunch. Make sure your work is done the night before and take this time to relax. Talk to friends, play a game of pick-up basketball, or just sit and listen to music. Use the time to take care of yourself and make sure you are ready for the second half of your day.

5. Do something you love

Going to school and work are important, but they are not always fun. Make sure you have something fun to do. Join a sports team, try out for the school play, or play video games with your friends. Having something you really enjoy doing planned can make the not as fun things go by faster, and it allows you to decompress and forget about your worries for a little while.

6. Drink water and eat healthy snacks

While drinking enough water and eating snacks are just generally good ideas, they can also help reduce your stress. If your body is healthy and hydrated, you are able to get more done and at a more efficient rate. You will have more free time and you will feel better.

7. Be active

This is the same principle as the last one, if your body is healthy, your mind will follow suit. You don’t need to be a great athlete to be active and healthy. Walk somewhere instead of driving, take the stairs, or just stand more than you sit. There is a small caveat with this one: don’t be so active that you don’t have any time to rest. Moderation is key.

8. Pack your backpack before you go to sleep

This is a simple change that can make a big difference. It does not take that long to pack your backpack, but when you do it at night before you go to sleep you do not have to think about it in the morning. You can just get up, eat some breakfast, grab your bag and go. You do not have to run around the house looking for your books and assignments, because they are already in the right spot.

9. Get enough sleep

Sleep is important. Sometimes a simple solution to feeling stressed could be staying up later to do all your work. While this might work in the short term, it can really hurt in the long run. In order for the average teenager’s brain to process information and remember everything, it needs to get around 9 hours of sleep each night. The more sleep you get, the more you will remember and the less stress you will feel. Especially  around test time, because your brain already did all the work for you while you were sleeping.

 

Bonus

10. Disconnect on the weekends

Take a day each weekend and don’t think about school or work. Take some time for yourself and do what you want to. Read a book, relax with friends, go to the beach or on a hike. Do something you enjoy with people you like to be around, and recharge for the week to come.

~ Tina

Rock Your Next Interview!

 

Ever have an interview? Did you get awkward, tense and ridiculously nervous? Well, you are not alone. Being interviewed is scary stuff.  It is literally being subjected to complete judgement on everything you say and do.  Still, no matter how much they suck, we all have to go through one at some point or another, whether it be applying for a job, student leadership, a scholarship, or any other position.  Since it can’t be escaped, you might as well learn to do it well.  Here are some tips that will help you to rock your next interview and hopefully calm your nerves:

• Be yourself. Employers want to hire people that they will enjoy working with, so they genuinely want to get you know you. Be funny, interesting, confident, honest. Just be you. Don’t try to be somebody else, or something you’re not.
• Be prepared. Think of some potential questions you might be asked before the interview, so you’ll be more prepared and you won’t have to think of everything on the spot. Most employers ask things like: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why should you be hired? Why do you want to work here?
• Do your research. Look into the company you’re applying to. Make sure you know their mission statement and values if they have them. Recall a good experience you had with the company and bring that up. They want to know that you really do want to work there.
• Know what they are looking for. If you’re applying for a job that requires a lot of interaction with others, then present yourself as a people person. If it is a labor job, show that you’re a hard worker.
• Be confident and relaxed. Show them how awesome you are. Don’t be shy, go ahead and brag and talk about all the things you’re good at! After all, if you don’t think you’ll be hired, why should they even consider you? And, don’t talk in circles. Get right to the point and if you don’t have anything else important to add, just stop there.

Again, everyone gets at least a little nervous during interviews, and employers understand that. But really, just be straight up with them. You just need to tell them about yourself and why you want that job. No biggie… so just chill!

Are you Stressed Out?

What stresses you out?

I know that teens have a lot more on their plates then most adults think they do. You are worried about your grades, your cash flow, your friends, not making your parents too mad, your love life, and many more things. The Health Center states that stress that is not dealt with in teens can lead to a life time of being overstressed. Some immediate effects of stress are being sleepy, ill and unable to cope.

You are the only one that knows when your stress is too much. Half the battle is recognizing that so you can take steps to relieve your stress. Health Center recommends:

-getting regular sleep

-eating a healthy diet

-taking breaks when you need to

-exercise

If none of these help then you may need to see your doctor to receive more help for your stress.

What Experience?

Many teens today are looking for jobs. Some of you want some spending money, or are saving for a car, some may even be helping out with the bills at home. Whatever your reason for looking to get employed, having experience is necessary. I know you are all saying “How can I have experience, this is my first time finding a job?” Believe me I know what you are thinking, but there are a lot of things that you can do now to gain experience.

Teen Advisor.com tells us that work experience can be a paid or volunteer position. Which includes things like community service or volunteer opportunities. Lucky for you community service and volunteer opportunities are everywhere. Volunteer Match.org is a great place to find opportunities to help large organizations. If smaller groups and settings are a better match for you check with your local schools and churches.

The key to looking good to future employers is being involved, accountable, and driven. Good luck to you all in your future “work experience” opportunities.

Want a job?

Tips for Teens: Getting a job

Interview Tips:

• SHUT YOUR CELL PHONE OFF!! Not on vibrate, not on low, not on any setting but OFF!!!!!!!
• Sit how the interviewer sits – it sounds weird but will make them more comfortable talking with you – if the interviewer is leaning forward on the table and looking directly at you, do the same; if he/she is sitting back with legs crossed, go ahead and lean back
• Use good communication skills and style
  — maintain eye contact, but don’t stare and be creepy
  — after each question is asked, pause – it’s okay to process before answering then articulate a concise response
  — don’t be afraid to repeat what is in your resume/cover letter/application
  — bring extra resumes, just in case someone is present who did not receive one
  — ask for clarification if you do not understand a question, it’s better than giving an answer that doesn’t make sense
• Dress like you mean business
  — no jeans, no midriff, no ripped clothing, no shirt you got at last Friday’s concert, no “just got outta bed” hair
  — blend in: if possible, visit the business prior to your interview and see what the employees are wearing, dress one step better than those working (you’re interview, not going to work); better yet, see what the highest level supervisor is wearing and try to dress like her/him
  — if other employees do not have visible tattoos, piercing, or other visible body alterations, it would be wise to remove or conceal yours (if applicable) – you might be able to show them while at work later
  — ladies: choose simple jewelry, not 15 bracelets and 6 necklaces, and if you like to wear a scent, make it minimal; what if the interview is asthmatic?
• Early is on time
  — arriving late to an interview is an easy way to lose a job before they ask any questions
  — allow extra time to arrive (30 minutes early is better than 3 minutes late), if you will have to get through traffic or navigate unfamiliar streets
  — being punctual shows that you are responsible and that you really want this job
  — it also shows that you have a reliable way to get to work, something many teens do not (that doesn’t mean you need your own car – knowing bus routes provides a reliable way of getting to work)
• Be ready with answers & questions
  — interviews are not only for the employer to question a candidate but the other way, too; it shows that you know what you want and what you need to know
  — prepare answers to common questions like: why are you interested in this position? what experiences have prepared you for this job? what are your short and/or long term goals? tell me about other interests you have; try to think about specific scenarios on which you might be questioned don’t be afraid to google good responses
  — it shows that you’ve really thought about THIS position
  — ask them some appropriate questions – try to make them as specific as possible in an actual interview:
            — What is the most important thing I need to know about this job?
            — What opportunities are there for me to learn new skills here?
            — Will I need to attend formal training, be trained on the job by you, or by a colleague?
            — (if considering a career in the field) What kinds of advancements do you see in this company in the near future?
            — When will I be contacted with your decision?
            — When would I start, if hired?
            — What type of dress code do you prefer?
  — do not ask inappropriate questions (some of these are inappropriate interview questions but should be asked when offered a position)
            — When would I get my first paycheck?
            — When will I get my first raise?
            — How much did you say I would be making?
            — Can I call you by your first name?
            — Can I text on my phone while at work?
            — Can my boyfriend/girlfriend visit me during my breaks?
• Say thank you – twice
  — thank the interviewer for meeting with you at the beginning of the interview and thank her/him for her/his time at the end
• Write a thank you – yes, again
  — E-mail works great for this – thank the interviewer again for the opportunity to meet, visit the business site, answer questions, etc…
  — offer to provide any supplementary information required
  — express excitement about hearing back and getting started

Do you have an interview tip you think should be added to this list? What industries are most likely to hire teens? What are the biggest obstacles blocking you and/or your friends from getting jobs? What skills are MOST important for teens looking for jobs?