Everyone experiences stress at some time or another. It might be caused by problems at school or work, relationships with friends, siblings or parents, moving to a new place, or a traumatic event.

Stress can affect people in different ways:

• have you become sad, angry, or anxious
• have you started to lack of confidence in yourself or in other important figures in your life
  
• are you avoiding other people especially close friends or family
  
• are you finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning
• do you have an upset stomach or cramps
  
• do you get tension headaches or knots in your neck or shoulders
  
• are you having problems eating or sleeping

You probably can’t get rid of stress, so how do you manage it?

Challenge the causes

• Try and identify the things causing you stress and challenge them if you can
• Is it a person or people causing you stress? Try and talk to them about their behaviour
• If you are a young teenager you may be experiencing hormonal stress from puberty, talk to an older sibling or your parents about what you are feeling
• Keep a stress diary each night and record the things that seemed to cause you stress during the day

Challenge yourself

• Express yourself – draw, write, play music
• Exercise – walk, run, cycle, walk the dog, join a gym, play a sport
  
• Avoid harmful behaviours like drugs, cigarettes and alcohol and situations where you might be put under peer pressure
  
• Talk to someone – don't be afraid to ask a friend or your parents to listen or call a support line if you want confidental support