Ashleigh Heaton
Editor-in-Chief

We all know the feeling: the crushing on our chest, the shortness of breath, the sudden dizziness. We can’t see or think straight because we have a million and one things to do, and no time to do it. It’s stress, and it has become a part of our high school experience.

However, though we can’t completely escape anxiety, we can take the steps toward de-stressing ourselves. To help you cope with stress, The Sidekick compiled a few remedies that will have you saying “Namaste”.

The psychology of stress

The first step to relieving stress is realizing what causes it. Theoretically, it is the result of students over-committing themselves, but mentally, it is the act of a neural overload of information, stimulating the brain to release chemicals to “re-circuit” itself.

The physical symptoms of stress overload are easily recognizable, though can vary in severity from student to student – some students develop minor headaches, while others have reported mistaking their stress for a heart attack.

“We [at the infirmary] have seen quite a few students with stress,” Coppell High School nurse Beth Dorn said. “[Students] can come in and show physical symptoms of stress – they’ll have a rapid heart rate, they’ll feel like they can’t catch their breath. They just feel so much anxiety, and we just know right away – their blood pressure is up, their heart rate is up. We’ll just start talking to them and figure out, ‘Okay, there is a lot of stress on you right now, you’re having a hard time dealing with it.’”

CHS is known for and proud of its educational excellence, as shown through its students. However, though some students thrive in the academically competitive environment, others are not cut out for the rigorous lifestyle of a high-achiever.

“I do see a lot of really high-achievers here [at CHS] that want to do well and are really motivated to do well,” Dorn said. “I think they put a lot of pressure on themselves. But there’s a happy medium in there – we try to find that happy medium, and I think we usually do.”

Dorn does not recommend medications for stress, though she does want students to be aware of when they need to visit the nurse due to stress.

“We are a good place to be if [stress overload] does happen,” Dorn said. “We have some quiet places if they need to rest and deep breathe and just get away from it all. We like to be there for those students…we’re a soft spot to fall if you need to get away from all of it for a little bit.”

But how do I de-stress?

Get creative

De-stressing is all about relaxing and releasing your emotions, and doing something creative can usually be the best release. Sketch out a scene from a favorite book or movie. Sing at the top of your lungs. Grab a coloring book and some crayons. Write a poem or short story. Whatever feels most comfortable and relaxing to you, go for it.

If you have the time, get out of the house and take a trip to Art from the Heart, the locally-owned ceramic painting studio. The studio is usually very peaceful (with the exception of the occasional children’s party) and is a different way to express your self. Stencil your favorite quote on a coffee mug, or create a design for anything else you can find in the shop – come back in a few days for the finished product. The more time you invest into your piece, the more time your mind is distracted from stress.

Art from the Heart recently moved to 120 S. Denton Tap Rd. Suite 430, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.

Eat something healthy

Eating the right foods can determine and improve your mood, which is a great way to cope with stress. However, don’t eat emotionally and gorge yourself – overeating will, most likely, lead you to feeling worse.

Reach for the typical “brain foods”, such as nuts, berries, apples, carrots and water. Avoid anything caffeinated, like coffee or chai, since caffeine heightens your adrenaline and, therefore, your anxiety. Tea is one of the best stress-relievers – steep a cup of Tension Tamer, Sleepytime, green tea or peach tea for a sip of relaxation.

Exercise

Being active, be it by running, playing sports or otherwise, is a wonderful stress-reliever, as it releases endorphins in your brain and makes you feel happier and more focused. One of our favorite ways to exercise is yoga: the low-stress activity focuses on breathing deeply and maintaining your inner strength.

If you’re interested in yoga, there are lots of places around Coppell that offer classes to the public, including the YMCA, the Surya Center for Yoga and Studio 108 Yoga. However, it is just as easy to do at home – FitTV has several programs with quick, 30-minute yoga sessions. Here are a few poses to get you started:

Warrior Pose: Stand on your feet with both feet forward. Take your left foot and place it behind you, bending in to your right leg. Turn your left foot out and raise your arms to be level with your shoulders. Hold for a minute, then switch feet.

Child’s Pose: Sit up on your knees. Lean back on your knees and bend at the waist, stretching forward from the waist with your hands. Bow your head and breathe deeply.

Downward-Facing Dog: Ly on the floor on your stomach. Rock back on your feet and walk your hands toward your legs until your body makes a V. If you feel your legs being too strained, bend them until they’re comfortable. Hold the pose for a minute, focusing on keeping your back straight and breathing deeply.

Be sure to listen to our de-stress playlist here.