While in high school, many are constantly under pressure to perform at their very best. That “very best” is a standard set by society to be flawless. During National Stress Awareness Month, we are here to remind you of the reality behind these ‘expectations’, and to show you that there’s more to life than spiking your nervous system.
People believe that to strive for perfection, you must hide your struggles, whether physical or mental, to fit in. This is a major factor in stress levels, especially during testing season, and this constant striving for perfection can take a heavy toll on oneself, leading to insecurities and stress.
Here at PPCHS, there are several sources of teachers, administrators, clubs, and more who support students in moments of crisis. The school aims to create a safe environment while recognizing the challenges that can arise during students’ high school years.
High school is an environment where many tend to compete with one another, in this case, academically. This constant need for academic validation leads students to dismiss sleep loss, eating issues, and even physical health, all in pursuit of that perfect A+ to feel accomplished.
During April, many push to raise awareness of the impact of stress, promoting healthy lifestyle changes, and helping provide resources to manage that stress.
“I believe Stress Awareness Month is important. I feel like it shines a light on everybody who experiences stress, even if it’s portrayed differently. This month is huge for teens, especially, allowing them to finally feel seen after constantly being told they couldn’t be stressed or have nothing to be stressed about,” comments junior Jayla Moxie.
Society tells those, especially teenagers, that they should push themselves far beyond what they might be able to accomplish, and create themselves to appear as “not too much” to others, in other words, to dim what makes kids, kids. Nowadays, there is a common “trend” to appear as “nonchalant”; this normalization tends to cause many to push away their true selves simply to fit the standard of “being less” in order to follow what social media says. This often causes many students to feel stressed about portraying a part of themselves that others might not like, which is not the case.
Stress Awareness Month goes far beyond just grades. This is a month that acknowledges every aspect of stress. From academic, emotional, and even physical stress. It is important that not only students but also people around the world have a better understanding of how to take care of themselves during these times of stress.
