Stress:An Ongoing Part of Life
Today, it seems like everyone is complaining about their stressful lives. Unfortunately, stress is a lifestyle issue, so it is something we have to learn to manage. Seldom is there an idea that a powerful hidden force undermining our efforts to cope. It is known that stress has damaging effects yet the American Psychology Association's yearly stress survey reveals that Americans are highly stressed and manage that stress ineffectively.
But the most revealing information is not the stress in adults; it is in teenagers.
Teenagers reported experiencing an average stress level of 5.8 (out of 10) while adults reported a level of 5.1. 83% of teenagers report that school accounts somewhat or significantly towards their stress, and this stress is affecting their performance:
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10% say they receive lower grades than of which they are capable due to stress
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59% a somewhat or significant stressor is balancing time for all their activities
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Because of stress, 40% say they neglect home responsibilities and 21% neglect work or school ones
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26% report being short or snapping at classmates when stressed
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3 in 10 teens report procrastination from stress
Despite the impact of stress and most claiming the symptoms of stress (irritable or angry, nervous or anxious, and tired), teenagers are less aware of stress's impact. 59% of teens claim stress has no impact on physical health and 39% of adults claim the same, and 52% of teens claim stress has no impact on mental health and 43% of adults claim the same.