Question

Compare and contrast healthy stress coping mechanisms with unhealthy coping mechanisms. Research some good coping mechanisms can be taught to teenagers in response to peer pressure, bullying.

Answer 1

Stress is any kind of pressure, mental or emotional strain due to some circumstances or situations. When an individual encounters a stressful situation, the brain signals to release chemicals by stimulating the neurotransmitters to provide a person with the energy to combat stress. Temporary stress experienced before joining a new work place, first day at college, giving a presentation, stress experienced a night before your test, demands the brain to cope up with it and fuels your energy to overcome the milestone. This is known as 'eustress' or good stress. This refers to healthy stress coping mechanism where an individual channelizes his internal energy to combat stress and come out of it instead of being overwhelmed by it.

However, if the stress persists, the it has serious repercussions on mental health of an individual and eventually the behaviour exhibited by them. Continuously stressing about anything, leaves you drained out and you will be unable to perform any task because your brain drains out. Stress that lasts for long develops into anxiety. Anxiety is the major cause for neuroticism. This refers to unhealthy coping mechanism.

At present, the teenagers and school going individuals have to face the serious wrath of bullying and peer pressure which takes an immense count on their minds. Major psychological disorders roots from being distraught and stressed. It is extremely important to take care of the mind. It needs to be treated well every now and then and not get lost with the worldly pressures. The best way to treat your mind is to de-stress yourself. Worry, anxiety is not going to fetch you anything. The best ways to de-stress oneself is to meditate, or perform yoga. It is the best exercise for the mind. It just soothes and calms your mind. There are of course, other ways as well, like taking a vacation to some place queit away from the city life. Trekking, skiing, or just go some where it is serene and green. For mental well-being or a healthy mind, it is extremely important to embrace your mind.

The healthy coping mechanisms can make the mental health of a person improved and lead to wellness by giving a person chance to work actively towards solving his problem. These include meditation, singing, listening to music, writing, cooking etc.

The negative coping mechanisms can make the stress level worst because they wear the person down over time or are just the temporary distractions. Eg smoking, drinking alcohol, criticizing yourself etc.

Bullying can make anybody hurt, scared, sick, lonely.

• We can prevent bullying by avoiding the chances to get bullyed.

• One should stay tall and brave

• One should feel good about himself/herself

• One should seek a company of a good friend

• One should not expose his/ her feelings