School, sports, and taking care of my family ~ Stressed

17.

I've been feeling really overwhelmed lately.

I have a lot of responsibilities, like school, sports, and taking care of my family, and I don't know how to manage it all.

I feel like I'm failing at everything and it's causing me a lot of stress and anxiety.

Need some advice with my stress...

Sincerely,
Stressed

Dear Stressed

As a therapist, I understand how stressful it can be to have multiple responsibilities and feel like you're falling behind.

It's important to prioritize and find healthy ways to manage your stress.

It's important to recognize when you need to say no to additional responsibilities and prioritize your well-being. (I've had to learn myself that saying no sometimes is good and healthy. This is an important life skill to learn.)

Make sure to take breaks and engage in self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies that bring you joy, to help reduce stress and improve your mental health. (AND GET 8 HOURS OF SLEEP! Seriously, lack of sleep is one of the greatest causes to stress, anxiety, and depression) 

I would also suggest making a to-do list and prioritizing your tasks based on their importance and deadline.

Delegating responsibilities, where possible, and asking for help from friends or family members can also be helpful.

Remember, it's okay to ask for help, say no, and to take care of yourself in order to effectively manage your responsibilities.

Take care,
Jason