By Hildana Gezahegn ’27, Feature Editor

In a 2020 nationwide survey of 21,678 U.S. high school students, Yale researchers found that most of their days were spent feeling “tired,” “stressed,” and “bored.” These feelings are very common, especially today with the influence of social media. Many high school students are frequently overwhelmed due to academic pressure, extracurricular commitments, and personal responsibilities. While stress can be motivating, it’s important for students to recognize when it becomes harmful. With the many changes and challenges that come in high school, proper stress management is crucial.

There are different levels of stress, and it is important to identify when stress is motivating and when it is harmful. Summa Health reports that harmful or “bad” stress can lead to anxiety, confusion, poor concentration, and decreased performance. On the other hand, “good” stress is inspiring and motivating, helping to focus energy and improve performance. Motivating stress is often short-term, such as preparing for an exam, a big presentation, or a final game. In an interview at the University of Utah, Dr. Jason Hunziker explains that this type of stress helps us focus and pushes us to solve problems while adapting to uncomfortable situations.

However, prolonged stress can lead to allostatic load, which is the wear and tear on the body from repeated exposure to stressors. Dr. Hunziker describes this as “constant stress that is pounding at you and the wear and tear on your body when you don’t allow time for recovery.” Fortunately, there are several ways to cope with stress. Harvard Summer School provides strategies for students to manage stress, including “keeping a journal, getting plenty of exercise, eating healthy, making sure you get enough sleep, meditating, making time to do fun things, and preparing ahead of time for assessments.”

Stress is an important and common part of life, but it needs to be managed. By recognizing the difference between “bad” and “good” stress, students can use different strategies to handle overwhelming situations. These strategies include going on a walk, taking a break, and reaching out for support when needed.