As teenagers tough it out most days on school property, we are prone to experiencing high levels of stress. It comes with the terrain, really: school equals stress.
Some students allow the stresses of school and other obligations to consume them and make them feel pretty rotten, while others know that the best way to beat stress and anxiety is to take another path.
“I exercise because it is great for my health and because it makes me feel better physically and mentally,” senior Kaley Wendorf said.
Wendorf has the right idea.
It’s been proven time and time again that exercising is a good way to eliminate stress. The actual act of exercising releases endorphins into the brain, and those endorphins make you feel, well, pretty good.
“Endorphins are our body’s natural pain killers. It’s a good way to distract yourself and take your mind off things for a while,” psychology teacher Melissa Curtis said.
From simple walking and jogging to more offbeat exercises such as snowboarding or even hiking, just getting off the couch will produce the same result.
“I love dancing and kick boxing as well as jogging with my dog or biking in Busse [Woods],” Wendorf said. “Usually, I just head to the gym and do strength training and some sort of cardio.”
Exercising can also offer a mental pleasing effect.
“I used to be depressed, but it [exercising] gave me something to do,” senior John Bennett said. “I feel better about life.”
Stress can produce many long lasting effects to your body, so it is important to know how and when to cope.
“Stress can affect sleep, asthma and ulcers. In the long run, stress is linked to heart disease, the number one killer in the United States,” Curtis said. “It’s important to have coping mechanisms because everyone has stress, but it’s a matter of how we deal with it that determines if you let it interfere in your life or not.”
Stress can also affect the body in more subtle ways.
While the body is undergoing changes due to stress, the brain releases two chemicals into the bloodstream: adrenaline and cortisol.
“These hormones speed up heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and metabolism,” health teacher and soccer coach Daniel Klaus said.
“It’s [exercise] great for stress relief, because it makes you relieve pressure that’s built up throughout the day,” Bennett said. “Exercise is one of the best non-medical treatments for depression and anxiety.”
And it’s not only exercise that can alleviate stress. Living an overall healthy lifestyle by eating healthy as well can produce the same effects.
“I’m a bit of a health freak when it comes to food,” Wendorf said. “I try to stay away from sugar as much as possible and eat lots of all natural or organic foods that are rich in protein and fiber. I only drink water and make sure the majority of my caloric intake comes from fresh foods like fruits and veggies and whole grains.”
According to Klaus, Wendorf is doing the right thing.
“Under stressful conditions, the body needs its vitamins and minerals more than ever,” Klaus said. “Stress can cause cravings for unhealthy food. We need to train ourselves to go to healthy options when under stress. Don’t be an unhealthy emotional eater.”
By: Tom Scearce and Abby Ray