Stress Management

By Brenda Lewina

2020 has been a stressful year for Wesley students due to Covid-19, online classes, and other worries of life. We have given a survey to each class from Grade 7 to 12 on November 26, 2020, to collect data on the stress levels of Wesley students and their causes.

Based on our scale statistics from 1 (low stress) to 5 (very high stress), 68% of our high school students suffer from “high stress” to “very high stress” (scale 4 and 5).

This survey shows that more than 2/3 of our high school students are struggling with high amounts of stress. Yet students continue to show up for online school each day and do their best. What keeps them going?

Stress-busters

Many of our high schoolers have claimed sleeping, listening to music, spending time with friends, and watching Netflix helps them with reducing stress. Also, some of them mentioned that praying helps them deal with stress as well.

Different types of people handle stress in different ways. Some examples are given by our high schoolers above. Here are some other ways to reduce stress:

• Let it out

Everyone has their own ways to express themselves. Try talking to someone, talking to God, crying, screaming, singing, exercising, and etc. Find your own way of expression without hurting others or yourself.

• Change your view

Sometimes we might feel better when we look at our problems from a different angle. Try to look at your life from a larger view, as a bigger picture. Remember that you still have a long way to go, and the obstacle you are facing right now is preparing yourself for greater obstacles in the future. Look at it as a practice, as an opportunity to grow. Sometimes, if we complain and try to run away from a situation, the stress becomes greater. Stay calm and face it with God, with friends, but not alone.

• Read a novel

Reading a story can calm our hearts by focusing on someone else's story rather than our own. Also, it can stimulate creative thinking, and reduce the feeling of loneliness.

• Food

Try to enjoy some stress-busting food: a warm cup of tea, dark chocolate, bananas, fatty fish, milk, water, nuts, vitamin C, avocadoes, etc. Find further information here: https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/united-states-of-stress/ultimate-diet-guide-stress-management/

• Take a break

Two definitions of this can be applied to two types of people. For some people, when too much work causes you to have physical struggles such as sleep deprivation, headaches, stomach pain, and etc, try to manage your time better; stop everything you do, and take some time to rest rather than doing things that will make you feel more tired such as playing on your phone. However, for those who want to achieve something by setting a goal of working hard every day, I suggest you take everything at a slower pace rather than stopping everything you do. For example, do some simple assignments and reward yourself with a nap or time with your friends; manage your time so you will know when to finish a task rather than slowing down your pace blindly.

• Be thankful

Notice the little things around you, and you will realize how lucky and blessed you are right now. Notice a small conversation or an action within your family or a good side of a person like how talented or kind they are. Finding something good in little things can help you to find the good in a big struggle like the quarantine. This can help you develop a positive attitude, which can anchor you in the storms of stress.

• Give everything to God

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Remember that God is our Father--a father who will not ignore His anxious children. We worry because we don’t know what is ahead of us. We worry because of trauma or the lack of ability we have right now. Again, look at the bigger picture; look how much you have changed from the past, and you will change again in the future to become a better person. The Wesley alumni have given us advice to be flexible and be prepared to face unexpected situations. If you struggle with worries, focus on God, who is greater than your worries; focus on Him by praying everyday, and everything will be settled because He is the one who can see ahead of you.

Even though 2020 was a challenging year, this is an opportunity for us to improve as a person and get closer to God. "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:36)