Skylight: Stressed out?

Stressed out?

upset girl They call hard times because… they are hard on you! Change and tough situations stress everyone. That’s normal. But if we don’t find ways to look after ourselves when we’re going through them, things can often get even tougher for us.

Here are ideas some young people suggested, after they’d been through really rough times.

Eat good food
Sleep well and have rests when you need to
Ask for what you need
Take time to do nothing - maybe stay with a relative or a friend for a break
Do something physical sometimes to get moving
Give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel
Praise yourself – give yourself a pat on the back
Don’t expect too much of yourself - forgive yourself
Laugh and don’t feel guilty if you’re having a good day!
Listen to the music you like
Read the stuff you like
Hang out with good friends – keep connected – talk with others
Spend time with people who care about you
Spend time alone when you need some space to think
Give yourself all the time you need to get through this
Do the things that make you happy
Join a youth support group if there’s one in your area
Keep safe – don’t do dumb stuff
Go to the beach or walk in the bush
Do something creative
Give a hug, get a hug
Be patient with yourself - you’re only human!
Get the help you need if you feel stuck

Read more for young people...

"I got really annoyed with people, especially my sister and brother. I’d explode over hardly anything, but I couldn’t stop myself. It just blew up from somewhere and I took it out on whoever was closest."
David

"I got hardly any sleep. I couldn’t be bothered eating. I got lots of cold sores. I ended up a physical mess."
Sam

"I figured I had to find some ways to make my life a little easier to live. These sorts of things helped. Now when I look back I’m proud of getting through that junk like I did. It was horrible, but I’m doing okay. Life’s good, despite the crap that can happen."
Leesa

Stressed out?

Donate now

Newsletter sign-up