Just breathe. Take a deep breath in, and release.
Sometimes life can become quite overwhelming, leaving us in need of an effective way to cope.
The world around us is fast-paced. It rushes over us and never stops pushing forward, yet not all of us can handle the constant noise and stresses.
We tend to lose ourselves in the stress, let it overcome us and take over our lives.
For many teens and adults alike, it can feel as though we’ve lost control. The pressures in our lives can feel too overwhelming to get a grip, as if we have no power anymore.
At such a young age, while we go through puberty, it’s not uncommon to lose yourself. Things are in a constant state of change, and we are simply not used to it.
One thing we tend to overlook when we find ourselves struggling with mental health and other strains is just how big of a part our bodies play in how we feel.
We don’t realize, or sometimes even want to believe, that taking deep breaths could help our situation.
Of course, it’s difficult to remember to breathe mid-panic attack, but teaching yourself the skill beforehand can prove quite helpful.
Not only will we be helping ourselves now, while we’re still in school, but learning to cope with stress and anxiety when you are young can have a big impact when we become adults.
We need to be able to ground ourselves in difficult situations if we want to overcome them. Slowing our heart rate with our breathing and calming ourselves is another step forward in coping.
We shouldn’t ignore our bodies, or sit and just put up with the stress and pressures of our lifestyle. We can take control and learn to manage our anxious feelings.
Macy How is a grade 11 student at Brooks Secondary School.
