Managing Stress for Young People

Stress is a natural part of life that we all experience. However if it continues unchecked it can lead to significant mental health concerns. Stress is only ever evoked by two sources: either ruminating on the experiences of our past or predicting our future… when in fact, peace of mind and body can only ever be found in the very moment that we are experiencing. The aim is to stop time travelling and be present. 

Stress can be thought of as blocks on a scale, where the weight of the blocks represents the level of stress in our lives. If the ‘stress blocks’ become too heavy, the scale becomes imbalanced and we may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. However, just as there are ‘stress blocks’, there are also ‘stress-busting blocks’ that can help us balance the scale. These blocks may include healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in a creative activity. By actively working to add stress-combating blocks to our lives, we can create a more balanced and manageable level of stress, allowing us to feel more in control and better able to handle life's challenges.

When working with young people who are feeling overwhelmed, I often reach for a whiteboard and pen and draw a balance scale. I then encourage the individual to label their ‘current stress blocks’ on the scale. Once piled high and each has been spoken through regarding origin and impact on self, we then look at what they are currently doing to combat the stress. Often the ‘stress busting blocks’ on the opposing side of the scale are lacking. We then work together to explore positive coping mechanisms for life’s stressors. A benefit of this activity is to visually see the tower of stress currently being held by that individual. If the stress block number is greater than four, we look at what can be let go of to balance our scale more efficiently. The aim is to create more ‘stress-busting blocks’ than ‘stress blocks.’ 

Letting go of stress is a cognitive process where we acknowledge the situation is out of our control or come to the realisation that holding onto the stress is far more damaging than letting it go. Remarkably I have seen the power in giving someone permission to let go of a ‘stress block’ simply my saying “you can leave it here with me and when you step outside this room, take a deep breath and feel no further responsibility for it”. This thought process is liberating and feels safe for young people. Another way to practice this would be to write a breakup letter to your stress stating all the reasons why holding onto it is detrimental. Finish the letter by stating how taking action is your only option in moving forward. 

Further ways to de-stress in your everyday life:

Engage in a creative activity: Painting, drawing, or writing can help you relax and relieve stress. It can also help you express your emotions and thoughts.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you focus on the present moment and reduce stress. You can practice mindfulness through meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or simply by paying attention to your senses.

Listen to music: Listening to calming music can help you relax and reduce stress. You can create a playlist of your favourite relaxing songs or listen to music specifically designed for relaxation.

Exercise: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood. You can try yoga, walking, running, or any other type of exercise that you enjoy.

Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature can help you feel more relaxed and calm. You can take a walk in the park, go for a hike, or simply sit outside and enjoy the scenery.

Take a break from technology: Constantly being connected to technology can be stressful. Take a break from your phone, computer and other devices to give yourself some time to relax and recharge.

Try aromatherapy: Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote relaxation and reduce stress. You can try diffusing essential oils or adding them to your bath to create a relaxing environment.

Spend time with loved ones: Spending time with loved ones can help you feel more connected and supported. You can plan a fun activity or simply spend time talking and laughing with friends or family members.

Remember, everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. So, it's important to find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your self-care routine.