Causes of Stress Among Teenagers

Many adults do not realize teenagers can become just as stressed as they do. For this reason,
teenagers often feel alone. They believe that no one really understands how they feel, and they
don't know what to do about it. Understanding the causes of stress can help teens see that there
isn't anything wrong with them, and motivate them to seek help to lower their stress levels. As far as
I am concerned, stress among teenagers can be caused by academic pressure, family problems and
poor time management.

It is undeniable that academic pressure is the main cause of stress among teenagers today. When
teachers prepare students for examinations and tests, they give them a lot of homework even if the
students are as young as six only. In addition to these homework assignments, there are classroom
assignments and projects that are supposed to be completed and submitted in strict deadlines. The
pressure that comes from these assignments combined with the desire by students to succeed
academically turns into stress. When some teenagers receive a poor grade, they feel badly because
they know they haven't only disappointed themselves, but also the people they care about the most.

Students also experience pressure to do well in their academic work from those close to them such
as family, friends, and even teachers. They therefore feel so much pushed that they even resort to
academic dishonesty such as cheating in exams so as to match these high expectations.

When some teens study hard for an exam, but end up scoring poorly, they may feel defeated and
hopeless. These feelings of failure can lead to depression, which can be a result of overwhelming
stress.

Parents

Teenagers from a dysfunctional home life where abuse or alcoholism are problems can suffer from
extreme stress. Teenagers need to feel safe and cared for at home. When they do not receive this
from their safe place, they may take the stress of home, bring it to school, and act out.

One of the most recognized stressors amongst young adults is a problem within the home. As stated
by Dr. Michael Conner, the divorce of one’s parents can trigger tension. When a family is broken
apart and there are children caught in the middle, there tends to be a great amount of strain on the
kids. Not only are problems within the home a stressor, but also not having a stable home can cause
fretfulness. The teenager that moves around from home to home due to instability in his or her own
household is often weighed down by stress and or depression. Constant fighting between kids and
their parents are also an attribute to the stressful teen.

Family Stress

A healthy, safe, and loving family is essential for the development of any child. However, family
relationships can bring additional stress to students. Parents going through their own emotional or
mental health problems can disrupt a teen's life. Teenagers may feel responsible for their parent's
actions, or become the victim of physical or emotional abuse. Parent relationships can also affect
teens. Divorce can be upsetting to teens, who may feel abandoned or forced to choose sides
between parents.
Divorce adds stress to teens

divorce

Poverty can also be taxing on teens. Families with a low income

A student’s stress levels can also increase due to poor nutrition and unhealthy eating habits. Foods
that are associated with high stress levels in students include those that have high refined
carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine, and fat. This is the case with many types of fast, processed, and
convenience foods. Examples of foods that induce stress include French fries, white bread,
processed snack foods, candy bars, donuts, energy drinks, and sodas. A healthy stress reducing diet
is made up of foods that are high in complex carbohydrates and fiber and low in fat content.
Examples of such foods include lean proteins, nuts, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Stress in students cause serious negative effects, both physical and academic. Students may
experience stress due to poor sleeping habits, academic pressure, and poor nutrition and unhealthy
eating habits. Students need enough sleep and less pressure for their brain to relax and recharge for
it to function well. They also need to avoid stress-inducing foods such as fries and sodas. As has been
seen, high stress levels could lead to physical symptoms, poor management skills, and self-defeating
thoughts among students. As such, parents and teachers should work together in ensuring that
students do not experience much stress because it is not good for their health and academic ability

Stress is the natural response the human body gives to challenges. Students are exposed to stress by
various factors. When a student undergoes chronic stress or high stress levels, their ability to learn,
memorize and post good academic performances can be interfered with regardless of their age or
grade. Stress can also make a student experience poor mental, emotional, and physical health.
Teachers and parents may help students avoid chronic stress in their lives if they learn about and
develop a good understanding of common stressors. Stress in students may have serious harmful
effects and thus needs to be addressed.

A Causes and Effects Essay on Stress in Students Outline

Introduction

Thesis:

Stress in students may have serious harmful effects and thus needs to be addressed.

Body
Paragraph 1:

One of the causes of stress in students is poor sleeping habits.

Students who do not get enough sleep at night or lack healthy sleeping habits are likely to develop
stress.

Enough sleep allows the brain and body of a student to relax and recharge.

Lack of it can limit a student’s ability to learn, concentrate and solve problems.

Paragraph 2:

Student stress is caused by academic pressure.

They are given homework assignments.

They have classroom assignments and term papers that are supposed to be completed and
submitted in strict deadlines.

Pressure to do well from those close to them such as family, friends, and teachers.

Paragraph 3:

Student stress may result from poor nutrition and unhealthy eating habits.

Stress-inducing foods are those that have high refined carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine, and fat.

A stress-reducing diet is made up of foods that are high in complex carbohydrates and fiber and low
in fat content.

Paragraph 4:

High stress levels could make students develop physical symptoms that could negatively affect their
academic performance.

When a student experiences these symptoms, they might not feel the motivation they once felt
about doing their best on academic tasks.

The symptoms are detrimental to the health of students.

Paragraph 5:
Stress makes students to have poor management skills.

A student could become disorganized and uncertain about their priorities and goals.

They become incapable of effectively budgeting and managing their time.

They develop a tendency of procrastinating and neglecting responsibilities.

Paragraph 6:

Stress leads to self-defeating thoughts.

A student under stress may consistently think about the adversity or negative situation in which they
are.

They could constantly focus on their weaknesses and failures.

Conclusion

Stress in students cause serious negative effects, both physical and academic.

It results from poor sleeping habits, academic pressure, and poor nutrition and unhealthy eating
habits.

It results into physical symptoms, poor management skills, and self-defeating thoughts.

Parents and teachers should work together to ensure that students do not experience much stress.