You would think that with all the things we have today to make life easier, that people would be happier? But that is not the case for many teens today. You have to study hard to get into a good college, workout to look good, and still find ways to hangout with friends. These years can be some of the best years in your life, and it is hard to enjoy life when you feel burned out. Life is not easy, but below are some tips that can help you deal with what life dishes out.

Stress Warning Signs

PHYSICAL SYMPTOM

• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Stomachaches
• Sweaty Palms
• Sleep Difficulties
• Dizziness
• Back Pain
• Tight Neck or Shoulders
• Racing Heart
• Restlessness
• Tiredness
• Ringing in Ears

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS

• Excess Smoking
• Bossiness
• Compulsive Gum Chewing
• Attitude Critical of Others
• Grinding of Teeth at Night
• Overuse of Alcohol
• Compulsive Eating
• Inability To Get Things Done

SPIRITUAL SYMPTOMS

• Emptiness
• Loss of Meaning
• Doubt
• Unforgiving
• Martyrdom
• Looking for Magic
• Loss of Direction
• Cynicism
• Apathy
• Needing To "Prove" Self

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

• Crying   
• Nervousness, Anxiety
• Boredom, No Meaning to Things
• Edginess, Ready to Explode
• Feeling Powerless to Change Things
• Overwhelming Sense of Pressure
• Anger
• Loneliness
• Unhappiness for No Reason
• Easily Upset

COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

• Trouble Thinking Clearly
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of Creativity
• Memory Loss
• Inability to Make Decisions
• Thoughts of Running Away
• Constant Worry
• Loss of Sense of Humor

RELATIONAL SYMPTOMS

•  Isolation
•  Intolerance
•  Resentment
•  Loneliness
•  Lashing Out
•  Hiding
•  Clamming Up
•  Lowered Sex Drive
•  Nagging
•  Distrust
•  Lack of Intimacy
•  Using People
•  Fewer Contact with Friends

12 Ways to Relieve Stress

1. Do something simple, something that's easy and that you can control, such as cleaning your room or car, listening to music, reading a book or taking a bath.
2. Channel your frustrations into acceptable outlets such as exercise, hobbies or recreation.
3. Take a regular vacation and really get away from it all.
4. Talk out worries and gripes with a respected friend or your counselor.
5. Be willing to lose to superior competition when you meet it head on.
6. Reduce excessive stimulation from such sources as news reports, violent television programs or movies.
7. Make friends, keep friends, and help others.
8. Get unpleasant tasks completed quickly. Begin with unpleasant tasks and work toward the pleasant tasks.
9. Attempt to solve problems when you are at your best mentally and physically. Don't let unsolved problems linger or accumulate.
10. Avoid self-medication.
11. After disappointing setbacks, take stock of your achievements to restore your self-confidence.
12. Break the usual routine of activities. Seek new experiences. Become active in sports, clubs or political organizations, go visiting, change your hair or drive home from work or school another way.

The following links will take you from the On Your Own web site to http://www.teenhealth.org/. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other reliable sources and to direct any questions concerning personal healthcare to licensed physicians or other appropriate healthcare professionals.

Mental Health

• All About Anxiety
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Cutting
• Depression
• Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia
• Fears and Phobias
• Going to a Therapist
• How Can I Improve My Self-Esteem?
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Suicide
• What Is Trichotillomania?

Feelings & Emotions

• Death and Grief
• Having a Healthy Pregnancy
• Homesickness
• How Can I Deal With My Anger?
• How Can I Improve My Self-Esteem?
• Putting Shyness in the Spotlight
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Stress
• Test Anxiety
• The Moving Blues
• Why Am I in Such a Bad Mood?

Body Image

• Body Image Problems
• Body Image and Self-Esteem
• Plastic Surgery

Families

• Abuse
• Adoption
• Coping With an Alcoholic Parent
• Dealing With Divorce
• Stepparents
• Talking to Your Parents - or Other Adults
• Why Do I Fight With My Parents So Much?

Dealing With Problems

• Date Rape: What You Should Know
• Dealing With Addiction
• Dealing With Bullying
• Dealing With a Health Condition
• How Can I Help a Friend Who Cuts?
• I Think I May Have a Drinking/Drug Problem. What Should I Do?
• I Think I Was Raped. What Should I Do?
• I Think My Friend May Have an Eating Disorder. What Should I Do?
• My Friend Is Talking About Running Away: What Should I Do?
• My Friend Is Talking About Suicide. What Should I Do?
• My Pet Died. How Can I Feel Better?
• Shoplifting
• Test Anxiety