This past school year, I was overwhelmed by stress very often. The constant pressure to do more and be better was nagging at my mind almost daily. I managed to handle it- up until the last few weeks of the school year. I found myself plagued with a headache that never seemed to go away, and when other physical symptoms arose I couldn’t handle it and had to take a whole day off of school to rest. This experience, while not pleasant, taught me a great deal.

First, I learned the importance of listening to my mind and body. I ignored the symptoms of stress, letting them pile up until they were unbearable. Looking back, if I had done more about my stress when I first started feeling tired or when I first began experiencing headaches, I probably wouldn’t have had to take a whole day off. 

Second, I learned that it’s okay to ask for help and communicate. While I expected people to think that I was faking my stress or to be disappointed in me when I missed a day of school, everyone was very supportive. My teachers were kind, and my friends just wanted me to be okay. Communicating with those around me would have likely created an environment in which I would’ve felt less stress, but my unwillingness to do so contributed to my detriment. 

Third, I learned the importance of showing kindness to myself. Most of the pressure that I felt was from me. I was constantly pushing myself to do more, and while I do not regret making sure I did everything to the best of my ability, I acknowledge that I could have shown myself more grace along the way. If I had taken measures to reduce my stress instead of constantly spending my time trying to do as much as possible, my stress levels would have decreased greatly.

Fourth, I learned that stress isn’t always bad. Due to my irresponsibility, my stress reached levels that harmed me. However, this stress drove me to perform very well. If I had taken time to manage my stress and developed healthier coping mechanisms, I have no doubt that it wouldn’t have had anywhere near the same effect on me. While my experience with stress ended up being negative, it taught me a lot, and what I have learned is ultimately going to benefit me.