There are many things to be stressed out about these days. Homework, tests, and projects are added to the list of things that cause stress in high school and beyond. Extreme amounts of stress, which often occur among teens, can lead to ways of coping with things that are not only unhealthy, but also dangerous.

Some resort to drugs, alcohol, and bad relationships with others to deal with these stresses. These things bring about long-term damage to the person and it is much more effective to use other methods in coping with pressures.

*According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry eating and exercising regularly may help to decrease stress. Also, one must avoid excess caffeine or any alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. In addition, relaxation exercises (like abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques) may help alleviate stress. One of the most effective ways might be breaking large assignment into smaller, easier tasks. Being positive and avoiding negative self-thought is yet another way of minimizing stress. Finally taking breaks when possible help in relaxation.

As previously mentioned, in the movie The Guru of Go, the coach Paul Westhead goes through many problems in order to perfect his system of playing basketball to win championships. He is often let down but never gives up on his players and his team. That is the kind of perseverance that is needed to complete tasks and be successful academically and in other ways as well.

*Information from the paragraph marked with an asterisk were taken but not directly copied from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry website (http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Helping_Teenagers_With_Stress_66.aspx).