How Do You Stress Less?

If you're already reeling from pressure about the holidays, then don't look at the calendar--midterm exams are just ahead! It's easy to fall victim to stress, but coping strategies can help you rise above those anxious feelings. To find out how teens unwind and relax, Current Health surveyed readers in grades 6 through 12 about their favorite stress relievers. What can you learn from them?

READERS' TOP FOUR WAYS TO BEAT STRESS
Listening to or playing music 76%
Sleeping 52%
(tie) Playing computer games or video games 52%

3 Talking to friends 47%
4 Exercising 41%
LESS STRESS: GIRLS vs. BOYS
Girls are more apt than boys to lower their stress levels by talking with friends (55 percent versus 34 percent) and reading (46 percent versus 24 percent).

Boys are more likely than girls to use computer games as a stress reliever (51 percent versus 45 percent).

WORKING IT OUT
In times of stress, 53 percent of athletes said, exercise helps. But only 32 percent of respondents who aren't athletes felt the same.

Nonathletes are more likely to deal with stress by eating (31 percent) than athletes are (25 percent).

LAST, AND THANKFULLY LEAST
The least popular "stress reliever" among respondents? Smoking. Only 3 percent lit up to help cope. That's good news!

Current Health 2, Dec2006