Stress — What It Is and How to Manage It

Have you ever felt a tummy ache right before a big test, even if you weren't really sick? Or maybe your hands get sweaty before a big game. That's your body talking to you. It's telling you that you're feeling stress, and that's a totally normal part of life.

Think of stress like a thermometer. A little bit of warmth is good. It can make you feel excited and focused for a soccer game or a school play. This is called eustress, or good stress.But if the thermometer gets too high, you feel overwhelmed. That's distress, or bad stress. This happens when your body's alarm system, which is meant to protect you, stays on for too long. It can cause real physical feelings, even when you're not sick.Common signs of too much stress in kids can include:Headaches or stomachachesTrouble sleepingFeeling worried or grumpy more oftenHaving a hard time focusing at schoolIt's not your fault. Things like tests, arguments with friends, or changes at home can all turn up the heat on your stress thermometer.

Carlos, who is 10, started getting a bad stomachache every Sunday night. His parents were worried, but the doctor said he was perfectly healthy. He wasn't faking it; the pain was real. One day, his teacher asked him what he thought about on Sundays. Carlos realized he was always thinking about the big spelling test on Monday morning. He was so worried about it that his body was sending him a signal: a stomachache. Together, they made a plan to study a little on Saturday, so Sunday could be a fun day. The next Sunday, his stomach felt much better. Carlos realized his stomach was his body's way of saying, "I'm stressed."