Dealing with stress

Check out the following things to help you deal with stress and your feelings

BE ACTIVE

Exercise can be very helpful to clear your head - it can release stress and get rid of annoying feelings. Do things you like: go for a walk or a swim, join a footy club or start playing tennis, get together with friends and play cricket or other games in the park. Yoga, pilates and tai chi are great for calming a troubled mind.

Physical activities increase the endorphins in your body - these are natural 'feel good' chemicals which put you in a good mood.

SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS

Hanging out with friends can make you see the bright side of life again. It can be a good way to stop worrying about yourself, your parents and what will happen in the future. Go to the movies, play a game or just chat. Enjoy yourself!

TALK ABOUT YOUR EMOTIONS OR FEELINGS

Even if it seems to be hard to talk to someone it can make you feel better. Rather than keeping everything to yourself - let it out. Talking to someone can give you a different perspective on things and it might help you stop worrying or feeling sad, angry or frightened. It's important to find someone you trust. This can be one of your parents, grandparents, a friend, your doctor, a counsellor at your school, a mediator, a social worker or a psychologist. Always remember that you don't have to deal with your emotions all alone. Click here to find a list of people you can contact.

KEEP A JOURNAL OR DIARY

Write things down in a journal or diary. This can help you to think things through and to see them from another point of view when you read it again the next day. Write down how you feel, what happened that day, what you wish would happen, what would help,... later you can see how you handled things.

MAKE A PLAN OF THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO

When parents separate its normal for everyone to be upset and confused. You might forget what's happening at school, your meeting with a friend, when to see the parent you don't live with, a doctor's appointment etc. It will make things easier for you if you make a list of things you have to do, when and where and tick off things when they are done.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO RELAX

When families separate it can be very stressful for everybody, including you. There will be lots of changes in your life and you might feel you need a break. Try to think of something that relaxes you, such as taking a bath, going for a walk or ringing one of your friends or asking them to go to a movie with you. Sometimes reading a book or watching television can help you to relax your body and mind. Perhaps your parents will let you start doing yoga or meditation.

FIND SOME SPACE JUST FOR YOU

Maybe things will get too much and sometimes you may need some space just for yourself. Let people know how you're feeling and that you need time to be by yourself for a while. You can hang a note on your door to say that you don't want to be disturbed or visit a friend.

GET MORE ENERGY

Exercise and healthy food makes a healthy body. Try to have regular meals and eat healthy food - this will make you feel a lot better and stronger to deal with difficult situations. Take the dogs for a walk or walk around the block.

HAVE FUN

It is very important to have fun - especially when you're having a hard time at home. There's nothing wrong with having a laugh with friends even when your parents separate. Try and see how good it feels to smile.

GET INVOLVED IN HELPING OTHERS

Sometimes helping others can help you to feel better. You can help your neighbours with their pets or maybe you can do something to help one of your sisters or brothers or your parents. You might see that your mood changes when you make another person happy. Are there any school or community projects that you can get involved in to help others?

It's not your fault Strange words, what they mean Loyalty conflicts No contact with one parent Positive things that might change Other things that might change Keeping in touch with both parents Loss and grief Different emotions Dealing with stress Talking about your feelings United Nations Convention Special rights DV - what does it mean? Your parents hurting the other You being hurt Things to help you feel safe Friends being hurt Restraining Orders How to tell someone Bullying Coping with the changes Things to help get organized Questions More questions! Alcohol and you Body Changes Money Moving out Family and friends Parents using drugs	Dealing with stress Check out the following things to help you deal with stress and your feelings BE ACTIVE Exercise can be very helpful to clear your head - it can release stress and get rid of annoying feelings. Do things you like: go for a walk or a swim, join a footy club or start playing tennis, get together with friends and play cricket or other games in the park. Yoga, pilates and tai chi are great for calming a troubled mind. Physical activities increase the endorphins in your body - these are natural 'feel good' chemicals which put you in a good mood. SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS Hanging out with friends can make you see the bright side of life again. It can be a good way to stop worrying about yourself, your parents and what will happen in the future. Go to the movies, play a game or just chat. Enjoy yourself! TALK ABOUT YOUR EMOTIONS OR FEELINGS Even if it seems to be hard to talk to someone it can make you feel better. Rather than keeping everything to yourself - let it out. Talking to someone can give you a different perspective on things and it might help you stop worrying or feeling sad, angry or frightened. It's important to find someone you trust. This can be one of your parents, grandparents, a friend, your doctor, a counsellor at your school, a mediator, a social worker or a psychologist. Always remember that you don't have to deal with your emotions all alone. Click here to find a list of people you can contact. KEEP A JOURNAL OR DIARY Write things down in a journal or diary. This can help you to think things through and to see them from another point of view when you read it again the next day. Write down how you feel, what happened that day, what you wish would happen, what would help,... later you can see how you handled things. MAKE A PLAN OF THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO When parents separate its normal for everyone to be upset and confused. You might forget what's happening at school, your meeting with a friend, when to see the parent you don't live with, a doctor's appointment etc. It will make things easier for you if you make a list of things you have to do, when and where and tick off things when they are done. GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO RELAX When families separate it can be very stressful for everybody, including you. There will be lots of changes in your life and you might feel you need a break. Try to think of something that relaxes you, such as taking a bath, going for a walk or ringing one of your friends or asking them to go to a movie with you. Sometimes reading a book or watching television can help you to relax your body and mind. Perhaps your parents will let you start doing yoga or meditation. FIND SOME SPACE JUST FOR YOU Maybe things will get too much and sometimes you may need some space just for yourself. Let people know how you're feeling and that you need time to be by yourself for a while. You can hang a note on your door to say that you don't want to be disturbed or visit a friend. GET MORE ENERGY Exercise and healthy food makes a healthy body. Try to have regular meals and eat healthy food - this will make you feel a lot better and stronger to deal with difficult situations. Take the dogs for a walk or walk around the block. HAVE FUN It is very important to have fun - especially when you're having a hard time at home. There's nothing wrong with having a laugh with friends even when your parents separate. Try and see how good it feels to smile. GET INVOLVED IN HELPING OTHERS Sometimes helping others can help you to feel better. You can help your neighbours with their pets or maybe you can do something to help one of your sisters or brothers or your parents. You might see that your mood changes when you make another person happy. Are there any school or community projects that you can get involved in to help others?
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