Stress 101

Hey Stress, how are you?

Speaking about stress as if it is a person is just a symptom of high school overload. By now, we've all learned that things don't exactly go as planned. Sometimes, you just want to pull at the ends of your hair and yell into the dark, vast universe: "Just give me a break!"

Before you rip your hair out, here are some quick ways to calm down. Intense stretches and breathing techniques are not necessary.

1) Think to yourself: Will this matter in five days? In one year? In ten years? It usually won't, and when looking at the big picture, the problem will not seem like the end of the world.

2) Instead of dwelling on why it didn't work out, dwell on how you can fix it.

3) For a quick pick-me-up, check out www.thingstobehappyabout.com. Seriously. You will be surprised at the little things in life that can make you smile.

4) Go outside. Sure, a jog can relieve stress, but just fresh air can make you think straight.

5) Call a friend and plan something for the weekend. Having something to look forward to will help you get through the rest of the week and whatever problems may arise.

6) Chocolate. It's scientifically proven to boost your mood...need I say more?

7) Take a fifteen minute break and do something that takes your mind off of things. Dancing like a maniac to Lady Gaga, watching a funny Youtube video, or looking through old pictures are good activities that don't let your mind wander back to the problem.

8) Assume that even though the situation sucks, maybe there's a reason why it happened the way that it did. Maybe in two weeks, you'll look back and think: Thank goodness that ______ happened, or else _______ wouldn't have happened!

9) Think about the problem, but don't complain about it. Write down the problem and then reread it to see if you can get a perspective on how to overcome it. Or, talk to someone about it to get a different opinion.

10) Lastly, just breathe. Smile confidently at your reflection in the mirror. You're strong enough to overcome whatever life throws at you (even if it's lemons.)

So, how about some lemonade?

A reaction to the Broward County Schools lockdown

A little fishy.

Those are my thoughts after reading about the lock-down that occurred today, shutting down all Broward County Public Schools. The original threat is believed to be made through an email sent to a local radio station as opposed to the police department.

Anyway, after hearing about the news online, I contacted some Broward County students, since I go to school in Dade, to gather some information which I wrote up below:

On the day before guns were to be shot respectfully, an unidentifed man threatened to shoot his own gun, as all schools and government buildings in Broward County and Pembroke Pines were placed on lockdown around 9:45 am. "My mom texted me, it was a state of panic," Sebastian Padilla, 16, of Flanagan High School said. Students remained in their classrooms for the rest of the day amid concerns from parents and relatives. "I hoped it would be nothing serious," Stephanie Padilla, 18, of Broward College said. A crazy day indeed, does anyone have a similar story?

Backpack or Trashcan? QUIZ

Is your backpack a trash can?
My backpack is like a walking trashcan.
To maintain being a very unorganized-organized person I have to clean out my backpack almost every other day.
So, is your backpack a walking trashcan?
1. Do you walk to the trashcan to throw away loose leaf papers and handouts you don't use?
a. Yes b. No
2. Do you leave the empty bag of chips you were sneaking as a mid-day snack?
a. No b. Yes
3. Do you have a different folder or notebook for every subject?
a. Yes b. No
4. Do you have a pencil case?
a. Yes b. No
If you answered mostly A's you have a backpack.
For those of you who answered mostly B's have a trashcan. =p