Girl Power

Knowing how to develop your own personal sense of style and how to keep healthy and fit are hard, but they're only a small part of growing up. Unfortunately, growing up brings lots of other kinds of stress into your life as well. You may feel extra stress at school to do well in class, to fit in with a group of friends, or to make a sports team. You may feel some extra stress at home. You may feel your parents don't understand you. Your family may be experiencing serious problems, such as divorce, money troubles, loss of job, sickness, drug abuse, or alcoholism. Even your friends, who have sworn to be true through thick and thin, may let you down at times. Stress-it's a part of growing up, but you can deal with it. How? In "Girl-Powered" ways:

• Talk that stress out! Discuss your worries and concerns with someone you trust. Don't keep it all bottled up inside.
  
  
• Play sports. Exercise releases natural chemicals in your body called "endorphins" that actually make you feel good.
  
  
• Read the comics or watch a funny TV show or movie.
  
  
• Go for a walk. Pay attention to what you see.
  
  
• Plan a party with friends.
  
  
• Do one thing you have been putting off-like cleaning your room or doing a school project.
  
  
• Make a list of five things you can do well and five things you really like about yourself.
  
  
• Write down your goals for next week, next month, next summer. Write down three things you can do that will help you reach each of your goals.
  
  
• Try something new. This can be simple, such as reading a type of book that's different from your usual choice or rearranging your desk. Or, you can really go for the gold and sign up for a new club or sport at school. Taking a good risk can make you feel great!
  
  
• Release your creativity. Write in a journal. Make up a song. Create a dance. Do some crafts.
  
  
• One of the best ways to deal with stress is by helping someone else. Try a little service - take care of a neighbor's garden, volunteer at a nursing home, or help out at an abandoned pet care facility. When you do something to improve your community, you also improve how you feel about yourself.