Keep stress in check with time for rest and rejuvenating activities.

By Amy Chenaille, Former Youth Services Manager, Pohick Regional Library

Tests Have You Stressed?

It is, once again, that time of the school year when it seems like every time you turn around there’s another test to take. The constant pressure to prepare and perform can be highly stressful, but it’s important to recognize when and how that stress becomes too much.

Keep in mind, as Joseph Ciarrochi shares in Your Life Your Way, “stress is normal,” but “not all stress is good ... Stress that comes from beating yourself up and having impossible expectations. That stress is not good.” To maintain a balance of useful, motivating stress, Ciarrochi reminds us that we also need to take regular breaks and rest.

Find Ways to Stress Less

There are many ways to rest the mind and recover from stress, which will help you to focus better later. The book Positively Teen by Nicola Morgan provides a list of hobbies that make for good brain breaks, including a variety of exercise and fitness options, mental activities such as reading or puzzles, and creative activities like singing or art.

Stop by a Fairfax County Public Library branch for a fun new read, a chance to play video or board games with friends, or to attend a program hosted just for teens! If you prefer to destress at home, pick up a Take and Make craft kit from a branch that offers them or use the library’s printers to print coloring pages to engage your creative side.