As the end of the year approaches, students struggle to bring up grades and study for upcoming tests. This stress can take a huge toll on mental health in myriad ways. So, how can students relieve that stress?

This “final stretch” stress is a common recurrence that people refer to as “end-of-year burnout.” The phenomenon can affect anyone–those working in a corporate environment, those owning a own business–but, one of the most afflicted groups of people who this targets is students. The symptoms, too, can  be far-reaching: exhaustion, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and a huge lack of motivation, which can take an even larger toll on school grades.

The realities of mental health are more damaging than one could ever imagine. Assessing mental health should always be a priority. Having positive mental health can make a person happier and more satisfied with life, as well as feeling more motivated. Here’s what some people do to alleviate their stress. 

Sophomore Alayiah Chism says that she “relieves stress from school by separating [her] home and school life.”  Expounding, she adds, “I often go home and force myself to forget about school so that the stress doesn’t continue.” Separating home and school life is critical. It can help the brain heal from the stress of the day and allow one to take a break from the struggles of the outside world. To make this possible, though, one must use his or her time at school to its fullest.

Junior Ella Huff shares another strategy, stating hat she usually “hangs out with friends” or “tries to talk out her problems to relieve her stress.”  Talking out problems lifts the weight off of one’s shoulders, allowing one to forget about problems during the school day. Additionally, talking through stressors can lead to a solution, instead of allowing it to build up spiral in the wrong direction.

Teacher’s are not immune to stress–or strategies to keep them at bay–either. Ms. Lindsey Nielsen states, “I go home and ‘check out,'” she begins. “I try to get as fast away as possible so I can eliminate the things that cause me stress in my life.” Blocking out stressors for even short periods of time helps improve the immune system, lower the risk for a heart attack, lower high blood pressure, and even lower the chance of obesity. 

Managing stress might just be the secret to improved grades. Instead of stressing about future grades, block out some personal time to kick back and relax. Test it out!