ASHLEY MAAS
School: Marymount Manhattan College.
Year: Sophomore
Why are you stressed?
I’m way stressed about two extensive research papers due and I also have a HUGE audition coming up for my school’s mainstage theater productions.
What is your stress level?
9 - And I say that because I have to tell myself that it could be worse!
How do you deal with stress?
By ranting in my journal, I can clear my mind of unnecessary thoughts and anxieties that get in the way of writing papers or even of relaxing. I’ve been keeping a journal since middle school so I can attest to its effectiveness. Plus, I keep pages filled with inspirational quotes & lyrics that always boost my mood when I read them.
Why is it important to deal with stress?
Because eventually it all builds up inside you & you feel so overwhelmed with life. By continually releasing stress you’ll feel less like a balloon ready to pop.
ALENA WERTALIK
School: NYU
Year: Sophomore
Why are you stressed?
I am a full-time student, intern two days a week for a magazine, and cocktail waitress a few nights a week at two music venues in Manhattan… all the while trying to maintain a social life.
What is your stress level?
At this point in my life, probably an 8.
How do you deal with stress?
I do yoga because it helps me to escape everything on my mind for an hour with my breath and movement. After class I feel refreshed and renewed and am ready to take on everything that I let go of the moment I got on my yoga mat.
Why is it important to deal with stress?
Because a build-up of stress will break you down until you can’t deal with anything you need to. Everyone has stresses to deal with, and it’s important to be able to control them, and not the other way around.
REBECCA WILSON
School: The School of Visual Arts
Year: Junior
Why are you stressed?
I’m just finishing up my sophomore year, so grades, where to go from here
What is your stress level?
Sometimes it gets up to a 10, but right now it’s pretty low, probably a 4.
How do you deal with stress?
Usually I listen to music, something mellow, and just doodle, or paint something that comes to me really naturally. I try to do an activity that doesn’t require any thought, because when I’m stressed I feel like my thoughts are going a thousand miles an hour.
Why is it important to deal with stress?
If you don’t deal with stress when you first feel that way, it just keeps building and building, and it can manifest into something much bigger than you may be prepared to handle.
BRIAN STRELKO
School: NYU
Year: Sophomore
Why are you stressed?
College tuition, work, doing too much at once, band stuff.
What is your stress level?
8 5
How do you deal with stress?
I play music, especially drums, even though they aren’t my primary instrument; it’s a way to physically beat into something and release stress.
Why is it important to deal with stress?
Nobody functions well under stress - getting it out of your system just lets you get on with more important things in your life.
MICHAEL PEREZ
School: Central High School
Year: Senior
Why are you stressed?
I’m stressed out about college, me entering the real world, exposing the unknown of this new step in life that I’m taking, bills, new responsibilities, and balancing that life with the boxing.
What is your stress level?
8
How do you deal with stress?
I go in the gym and work out real hard to relieve stress.
Why is it important to deal with stress?
Its important to find ways to handle your stress because stress in time will take a toll to you mentally, physically, and emotionally. And three things in life you need to have is mental, physical, and emotional strength.
JAMAAL WOMACK
School: St. Francis College
Year: Senior
Why are you stressed?
Graduating College is scary especially with the way the economy is now jobs are not as open as they used to be. A big decision for me is whether or not I will go overseas next year and play professionally or just stay in America get a job and go to graduate school. All I know is that the decisions I make after graduation will have a heavy influence on the rest of my life.
What is your stress level?
I would have to say my stress level is at about an 8 only because the problems that stress me out come up almost every day.
How do you deal with stress?
I usually like to go play basketball with either my teammates or sometimes by myself. Basketball is like an escape for me, it allows me to leave the real world and for the moments I’m on that court nothing can bother me.
Why is it important to deal with stress?
Stress can really take a toll on your life. If you don’t find different positive activities to do to take your mind off of your stress than there is a good chance that your not going to be able to perform on the highest level whether it be at work, school or playing sports. Everyone needs an escape from the problems they face that’s why it’s important to keep yourself busy especially when you’re going through something tough.
