URBANDALE, Iowa -- The streets are decorated under miles of garland and bright lights. The town is filled with festive store windows and Christmas songs. But for some reason, none of it sparks cheer. There are times when teenagers and adults alike struggle to see a winter wonderland in the shortening, colder days that lead up to the holiday season.
“Stress is common this time of year,” said Margaret VanGinkel, Iowa Concern Hotline coordinator. “Dealing with relationships, finances and issues at school and work -- like big assignments and final exams -- can be very stressful for any of us. But there are things we can do to manage the stress and feel better about ourselves and our situation.”
VanGinkel recommends establishing a regular routine that includes exercise, plenty of sleep and healthy foods. “Being well physically helps a person deal with the matters that are stressing them,” said VanGinkel. “Vigorous physical activity and nutritious eating get you started down the road to feeling healthy. This can give you something positive to focus on, which is another key to managing stress.”
Volunteering to help others is another way to feel better, according the VanGinkel. Whether it is volunteering at a nursing home, offering to babysit for a friend or neighbor, helping out at a soup kitchen or visiting an elderly neighbor – making someone else feel good makes us feel better about ourselves.
And there are times, when you just have to ask for help – when the only thing that will help is having someone to talk to about the things that are creating stress.
“Take time to talk with family members about the stressful situation -- finances or whatever it is,” said VanGinkel. “If you are the adult, talk to your spouse honestly and openly. Discuss options -- and include the young adults in the family. Teens overhear comments, but are afraid to ask questions; knowing only part of the situation can cause them unnecessary anxiety. Families should be honest about job securities and changes being made to spending habits. Let kids know how they can help -- they may even have ideas.”
Relationships also can add stress to the season -- and the need to have a listening ear and time to talk is very important. “Make a quiet time to talk. Conflicts can’t be resolved on the run,” said VanGinkel. “Work on listening and on being clear about how you are feeling. Adults have friends, spouses and relatives to go to. Teens should find an adult to listen to them -- their parent or a friend’s parent, someone at school like a counselor or nurse, or an adult relative or friend.”
There will be times when it seems that there is no one around, and that is when VanGinkel recommends the Teen Line or Iowa Concern Hotline. Teen Line is available 24 hours a day at (800) 443-8336 to help when teens don’t know where to turn. All calls are free and confidential, and operators are willing to assist whenever possible. Iowa Concern Hotline, (800) 447-1985, is also available 24 hours a day and calls are free and treated with the same confidentiality as Teen Line calls.
Life brings stress -- even during the holidays. Finding ways to handle stress increases the chance of finding cheerfulness among the packages and trimmings.
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