Hello everyone! Thanks for returning to my blog on the of effective coping mechanisms for stress among high school students. In this second round of research, I am diving deeper into each coping mechanism, providing more points and examples.
Exercise: Unleashing the Power of Physical Activity
Physical activity is an important method in stress reduction for high school students. Beyond its well-known benefits, such as better sleep, exercise has a profound impact on stress levels. The American Psychological Association (APA) shows the significance of even short bursts of physical activity, emphasizing its potential to significantly reduce stress. (2)Consider incorporating activities like brisk walks, yoga, or brief workout sessions into your routine to experience the positive effects on your mood. Regular engagement in aerobic activities stimulates the release of endorphins, acting as natural mood lifters. Apps like “Nike Training Club” or “7 Minute Workout” offer guided workouts suitable for busy high school schedules. (5) Joining school sports teams or engaging in group fitness classes not only provides physical activity but also creates a sense of community, further contributing to stress reduction.(11) Personally, I found that I preform better in school when I dedicate at least an hour of my day towards exercising!
Dietary Plans and Nutrition: Fueling Your Resilience
Diet plays a pivotal role in managing stress, and the choices we make regarding food can either worsen or ease stress levels. Explore stress-reducing nutrition with specific dietary plans. For omega-3 fatty acids, include salmon or tuna in your meals. Consider a daily intake of walnuts or a sprinkle of flaxseeds on your yogurt.(7) Also salads with a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure a nutrient-rich diet. As for cutting down on stress-inducing substances, swap out that extra cup of coffee for calming herbal teas, and replace sugary snacks with nutrient-dense options like nuts or berries. (8) These foods have been associated with lower stress levels, as studies suggest a correlation with increased stress levels. Explore specific dietary recommendations backed by scientific evidence to empower high school students in managing stress through nutrition.(1)
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Nurturing Inner Peace
Mindfulness practices continue to gain recognition for their effects on stress reduction. Daily integration of practices such as meditation and deep-breathing exercises has demonstrated a huge decrease in stress and anxiety among high school students and people in general. Going beyond traditional approaches, techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery have proven effective in stress management.(4) Bring mindfulness into your day with apps like “Headspace” or “Calm” for guided meditation and breathing exercises. As well as prioritizing a bedtime routine with relaxing activities like reading or gentle yoga to improve sleep and ensuring a good nights hours of sleep(3).(6) Apps like “Day One” to jot down your thoughts and emotions are useful for self reflection and closes off your day in a meaningful way.
Technology-Based Interventions: Harnessing the Digital Age for Mental Well-being
In our technologically advanced era, various digital tools aim to support mental well-being. Research uncovers the effectiveness of smartphone apps, online platforms, and virtual resources designed to guide high school students in stress management, which is something I appreciate as it shows the other positive side technology has to offer, where lots of people do not recognize and take advantage of(10). From guided meditation apps to mood tracking tools and virtual support communities, these programs offer innovative ways to address stressors in the modern age.(9) Embracing the possibilities that technology provides in our journey toward better mental health is a great way to view the use of our devices.(1)
- Stress Management: Ways to Prevent and Relieve Stress (webmd.com)
- Stress and Anxiety: How They Differ and How to Manage Them (healthline.com)
- The 20 Ultimate Tips for How to Sleep Better | Sleep Foundation
- Mindfulness and Meditation: The Benefits and Challenges | Psychology Today
- Nike Training Club App. Home Workouts. Nike.com
- Meditation and Sleep Made Simple – Headspace
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: eatright.org
- Nutrition (who.int)
- Technology and the Future of Mental Health Treatment – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)
- Mental Health Apps | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA
- Physical activity and mental health | Mental Health Foundation
Hey Jolie,
I loved reading your post on the effective coping mechanisms for students in high school. As a student myself, especially in grade 12, school is more demanding than ever, academically, extracurricular-wise, and more, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
While reading your post I found the importance of nurturing inner peace. Although I feel I may partake in it a little too much, and really taken the meaning of inner peace to another level. I feel that social media has really put in the aspect of “self-care” to another level. Almost saturating it to the point where students may feel the need to buy or fuel their need for self-care through materialistic methods.
However, while reading your post, I feel that you brought up a ‘simplistic’ view of coping mechanisms. A point of view that we forget about too much, as ‘less is more’ in this case.
If you would like to add a type of social commentary to your research, here are some resources that delve more into the societal view on coping mechanisms, specifically self-care and inner peace.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/31/we-need-to-move-on-from-self-care-to-something-that-cannot-be-captured-by-capitalism
https://www.onewomanproject.org/self-care/the-capitalism-of-self-care
https://www.michigandaily.com/michigan-in-color/the-essentiality-of-anti-capitalist-self-care/
I cant wait to read your next post and good luck,
Sanam M.
Hi Jolie,
I found your blog post very interesting and it was very enjoyable to read. Coping mechanisms are definitely an important factor on being able to survive during high school, and for anything you might do post-secondary whether it be more schooling or going straight into working. All of the coping mechanisms seem very helpful, but I would love to see how social media has turned some of these coping mechanisms into things way more elaborate and almost, too much. As an example, the meaning of inner peace can mean a lot of things, and I would love to see information on how it has been turned into something where people believe it means being narcissistic or the need to spend outrageous amounts of money on unnecessary things. One more thing, I would love to see how social media has become a coping mechanism and if it has the same affect as the others. I have included a few links that I hope will help your research in the future.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/coping-mechanisms-5272135
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X22000070
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10075314/
Goodluck!
Sarang