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HEALTH

Your Bod

Stress Much?

   

1. Be Reasonable

Fab plans are great, but are your goals realistic? You don't have to be extraordinary to be successful. No one is a perfect student, musician, friend, artist, dancer, and athlete.
Limit after-school stuff to a few activities, and commit to only one sport each season. Otherwise you'll be scurrying from lacrosse practice to dance class to youth group and getting home at 9:30--to about three full hours of homework.


2. Stay Balanced

Girls who feel content usually have mastered a balance of work, play and rest. Sure, there are lots of fun things you'd rather be doing, but getting your assignments out of the way first is smart. Get behind and you have to play catch-up. Go to bed at the same time every night, and don't cheat yourself of a good night's snooze. 
It's ok to take breaks, too. Doodle, write poems, daydream about your crush, listen to music. And don't diss the social scene. Hang with friends, gab on the phone and surf online. Just don't overdo it. Balance, remember?


3. Think Positively

Self-confidence goes the distance. Think of yourself as a girl who can handle stress well, and it's likely you will handle stress well. As for slip-ups? They happen to everyone. Overreacting will just worsen the stress.When you drop your lunch tray, your BFF makes a rude comment or you're spawning a giant zit, deal with it. Pick up and move on. It's just one awful day. Tomorrow you can start fresh!


4. Gauge Stress

Stress can sneak up on you, so try to notice the signs before it spirals out of control. Nodding off in Spanish? Snapping at your sib? Having another headache? Maybe your teachers are really piling it on, or you've had a cold. Cut back where you can. Consider turning down the next couple babysitting gigs or dropping French Club for now.


5. Get Help

Many girls hide their anxiety for fear of seeming lame or ticking off the 'rents. But there's no shame in being stressed out. A truly together girl knows when to ask for help. Talk to your parents if you're feeling overworked. They want yo to do well, but they also want you to be happy and healthy. Teachers are also usually happy to assist. Get feedback about not only what you are doing wrong, but what you're doing right.

If you need help more regularly, consider getting a tutor. Wouldn't it be great if French conjugations or geometry theorems didn't make you hyperventilate? If you're still feeling overwhelmed, see your guidance counselor to figure out ways to lighten the load. Maybe you can switch to less strenuous classes or put off a requirement until you're ready.
There will always be stuff in life that's challenging or disappointing. But when you make good choices and keep a cool head, you'll be able to manage things like a pro. Trust us, you'll be more energetic and feel awesome about what you do accomplish. So hold your head high and kick stress in the butt!

We want to hear from you! Send us your weirdest body questions here (seriously, we'll answer anything!) and it just might get featured.

POSTED IN

11/23/2009 7:01:00 AM
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