The beginning of the school year can be very stressful. For this reason, I would like to address stress in general and the coping skills you will need to help you succeed.  If there is something that is making you worry; this is emotional stress. Another form of stress is caused by illness, lack of sleep or good nutrition. Even trying to help friends can cause stress.

What is stress?
It’s the pressure you feel when your body reacts to a threat or a challenge. Your heart beats faster and your palms may get sweaty. You feel tense, nervous, and even fearful. 

Let’s expand this definition. To your body, stress is anything that causes a change in your life. It can be a good change or bad change, none the less, to your body it’s all the same.

Why should I learn about stress?
If you experience too much stress over a long period of time, it can leave you burned out or even ill. Stress can:

• Interfere with your friendships an daily activities
• Make you less productive at school
• Create problems at home with your family
• Lead to serious health problems in your adult life

What are the causes of stress?

• Change of any type (moving, entering high school)
• Family problems
• Test taking
• Trying to “fix” something that is not really your business