Am I addicted to stress?

Question

I'm feeling so stressed out lately. It's the first week of school, and I'm taking mostly all honors and AP classes. I'm also a tennis team member, vice president of my class, and an officer for 2 other clubs. I'm loaded down.

I can't drop tennis at this point, plus it's a short season. I've always been able to handle a big workload with ease but it's just starting to get to me. Yet I jump at doing more and more activities. It's like I LOVE adding things to my calendar and seeing it all filled up because i hate being bored.... is that weird? I feel like I'm so used to this kind of stress that I feel weird being relaxed. I can't fully relax at night because I feel like I'll somehow let go of all the things I have to do and forget them or something.

Do you have any tips or can you relate? I'm only a junior in high school but I feel like I'm working nonstop, like the energizer bunny. Techniques for relaxation, stress releif?

Thanks, Ellen

Answer 1

Wow, are you describing me or you lol. I'm also a jr. I'm taking 3 AP classes, College Math/Trig, I'm president of Key club, I'm going either tennis, cross country, or swimming (I haven't decided yet), on top of it all I've had a 4.0 since 7th grade. I'm going 24/7. even on weekends I have homework, and things to do.

I can relate, lately I've been feeling like I'm going to fall apart, and sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, scared I haven't done my homework, or that I'm going to forget something, and get a bad grade.

But I still join more groups, or take harder classes every chance I get, and I don't know why. If I don't I feel like a lazy slacker, and I feel guilty.

Ugh, all I can say is try to get your stuff done as soon as you get home, if I can get even 10 minutes extra to sleep, it helps.

Good luck, and it's nice knowing there is someone else that's dealing with the same kind of stuff as me.

Answer 2

Hi Ellen, you sound amazing so don't let go of the strings. I believe you can become addicted to stress or love the feeling of being preoccupied, but from experience and seeing what the effects of stress can have on people be glad that you are aware. Take it within your stride. Prioritize and here is the clinch, make sure to make and take time for yourself and family. Balance is important as you will find later down the track.

Meditation is fine but finding enjoyable quality times with fam or just friends is just as important and as valuable as being swamped.