We live in a fast-paced, jam-packed world that is constantly changing, and it’s easy for people of all ages to experience stress and anxiety as a result of all that’s going on around them and in their own lives. When stress does arise, it’s important to develop healthy ways to manage and reduce stress so it does not result in long-term impacts.
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and in Downey Unified, we want to ensure that all of our students and families are equipped with the resources and information they need to respond skillfully when facing stressful situations.
National Stress Awareness Month has been observed since April 1992 not only to educate individuals of the causes of and management techniques pertaining to stress but also to allow for opportunities to have candid conversations on how stress impacts students in their daily lives, helping to rid of the stigma around mental health.
Below are a handful of tips and strategies to help students minimize their stress when they begin to feel overwhelmed:
Talk about it
Encourage students to talk about the stressful situations they experience with a family member or other trusted adult. Doing so can help them find clarity and discover solutions they might not reach on their own.
Write about it
Allowing kids and teenagers to write their feelings as a form of journaling can help them better process emotions and learn more about themselves. They can also acknowledge things for which they are grateful, which can reduce stress by helping them to focus on positive aspects of their lives.
Practice belly breathing
Stress and anxiety can cause a person’s breathing and heartbeat to increase and muscles to become tenser and tighter, which can make it more difficult to think clearly. By slowing down one’s breathing with deep belly breaths, though, students can experience relaxation and a sense of calmness, providing them with a valuable method for coping with stressful situations.
Take part in physical activity
Not only is exercise beneficial in a physical sense, but it also helps boost a person’s mood and improve mental health. Physical activity can create distractions from negative thoughts, lower levels of stress hormones, and improve relaxation by moving the body in a focused pattern. The CDC recommends that children and adolescents between ages 6–17 engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Make time for unstructured, fun activities
Students are consistently required to complete tasks and participate in activities that are not necessarily those they would choose to do. Allowing kids and teenagers to spend time in activities they enjoy helps create balance in their lives and provide them to redirect their focus, which can help block out various stressors and feelings of anxiety.
Improve sleep habits
Sleep is essential for kids and teenagers when it comes to physical and emotional well-being. Prioritizing getting enough sleep each night can help reduce stress and improve focus and perspective. It’s recommended that kids ages 6–12 get between nine and 12 hours of sleep each night, while teenagers should get between eight to 10 hours.
For more information and tools to help with stress management, please visit the DUSD Wellness Resources page of our website.
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