I am stressed. I would bet a pretty penny that the other adolescents reading this are too. Who can blame us? Our entire world is a stress stimulus filled with deadlines, goals, tasks, and expectations. There is a pressure to have accomplished a list of objectives before our youth supposedly expires at the tender age of 18, or 21, or 45. “20 Books to Read Before You Turn 13”; “25 Things to do Before Turning 18”; “9 Countries Everyone Must Visit Before Turning 30”; “100 Movies to Watch Before You Die”. For me, and I would imagine other teenagers as well, life can feel like one continuous deadline made up of neverending smaller deadlines.

There is no denying that John Cooper is a fantastic school with amazing faculty, but there is also no denying that it is demanding for students who are trying to balance academics, extracurriculars, college applications, work, a social life, a healthy lifestyle, etc. the list goes on.

“I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day,” says Katarina Endom, 11th grade.

But what is the difference between experiencing temporary unpleasant feelings as a consequence of your lifestyle, or something more serious, something that needs to be considered with careful mindfulness and, perhaps, professional help?

Stress and anxiety can feel very similar, and neither is particularly pleasant. They share many of the same emotional and physical symptoms, such as uneasiness, tension, headaches, high blood pressure, and loss of sleep1​ ​. However, the two have very different origins. Where stress is caused by external factors, like a tight deadline or having an argument with a friend, anxiety is an internal issue1​ ​. It’s characterized as an internal feeling of dread or trepidation in a non-threatening situation; however, where stress will fade, anxiety persists1​ ​. Severe anxiety can escalate into an anxiety disorder, classified most often as ​generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder1​ ​. Prolonged or repetitive stress is commonly a trigger for anxiety.

1. Ross, Franzi. “Stress vs. Anxiety – Knowing the Difference Is Critical to Your Health.” ​Mental Health First Aid​, National Council for Behavioral Health, 8 June 2018, www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/external/2018/06/stress-vs-anxiety/.

This is not to say that because you have pulled three all-nighters in a row and you have a headache, you have anxiety. That is just a symptom of being a student. But do take time to check in with yourself, and consider prioritizing the health of your present self once in a while. And if you are struggling with anxiety or other issues pertaining to your mental health, be sure to seek professional help, such as reaching out to Cooper’s counselors.