What is stress? Is stress studying for That big midterm? Is it making that game winning foul shot? Or, is it just trying to stay alive in school?

Actually, stress is a great pressure, force, or strain. The situations above are called stressors (things that cause stress). Other stressors can be going to a new school or receiving an award.

After hearing what stressors can be, do you think you are stressed? Here are some signs your life has got you frazzled:

Headaches, Unable to study, withdrawn, fast heartbeat, forgetfulness, bored, sweating, carelessness and anger outbursts.

Well, now that you know what stress is, you’re probably wondering how to deal with it. The stress-relieving actions can be as easy as doing something for others or getting enough sleep, But, it can be hard too. Eating well-balanced meals can be hard for some people (especially if you work at McDonald’s), or exercising daily. (I know you’d rather be watching Everwood or Gilmore Girls, but it’s better to be jogging with the radio instead.)

So, you’ve gotten past the info and still you say there is not one ounce of stress in your teenage body? WRONG! Everyone has stress, but sometimes it feels like there is none at all. You may have eustress, the good kind of Stress.

Other people, like that really prissy girl who makes fun of everyone and goes through friends as fast as she goes through her allowance at the mall, also have stress. She probably has distress, the bad kind of stress. Examples of what she would say are probably along the lines of can’t do it'” or “I’m helpless!” while what you’d probably say would be “Look at all these possibilities'” Or “I can do it!”

Well, well, well, aren’t we the little eustress machine. Your brain’s “happy” messengers are known as Serotonin, Noradrenalin, and Dopamine, They might be the reasons you’re feeling happy. Good for you! But remember the prissy girl with no friends? She probably doesn’t get visits from your three happy friends much. In the end, she will probably turn t0 drugs or caffeine. Illegal drugs like ecstasy and cocaine can cause convulsions, dangerous overdoses and even death! Too much caffeine can cause irregular heartbeats and worsens stress!

Okay, here comes the biggie; Flight or Fight. Here is the situation. You and your friends are camping when, horror of all horrors, a spider is sitting on your lap! Do you a) fight and get the flyswatter, or b) flight and scream your head off. Fight or flight has to do with how you deal with stress. Fight is when you face your fears and flight is when you run away screaming, avoiding your fears completely.

Stress is something everyone deals with. Businessmen, pop stars, even the Vanderbilts have stress! This is something that can’t be skipped over. If you have stress, don’t fret, everyone else does too!