b'THE KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL AND STRESSED OUTBy Bianca Williams | ContributorThe goal isnt to eliminate stress entirely, but to evaluate it, address it, and manage it in an open and healthy way.For many students, getting back into the school routine is chal- sures, problems, disappointments, and failures for the first time lenging to say the least. Figuring out how to juggle homework,and do not yet have the life experience to know they can get extracurricular activities, home chores, high expectations, andthrough those tough times.peer relationships is certainly stressfulnot to mention the pres- Most students experience significant amounts of stress, and this sure of trying to fit in socially or dealing with serious issues likestress can take a toll on health, happiness, and grades. A study by bullying, breakups, or problems at home.the American Psychological Association (APA) found that teens While people of all ages say their stress levels are higher thanreported stress levels similar to those of adults, meaning that they they believe is healthy, youth are particularly vulnerable. Alongexperience significant levels of chronic stress. Roughly30 percent with Millennials, iGen children and teens are growing up at areported feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or sad because of it.time when exposure to weighty topicslike gun violence, climateIt is alarming that the teen stress experience is so similar to that change, and sexual assaultis occurring at younger ages. This,of adults. It is even more concerning that they seem to underes-coupled with the everyday pressures of school life, compoundstimate the potential impact that stress has on their physical and the problem of stress. mental health, said Norman B. Anderson, Ph.D., APA CEO and Sometimes adults view the issues children face as insignificantExecutive Vice President. events, nothing compared to the big problems they will face lat- Left unchecked, stress can cause health-related issues and is the er in life. They may downplay or minimize the magnitude of anumber-one trigger for depression.teens problems in an attempt to put them in perspective.Now that school has started, its an ideal time to check on your However, its important to understand why stressful events feelteens stress load and help bolster their mental health for the ac-like the end of the world to teens. They are facing these pres- ademic year ahead. Being empathetic to their daily challenges is 42GoodLifeFamilyMag.comSEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2019'