If you're feeling tired and stressed because you have too much going on, like lots of after-school activities, you might feel better if you drop something, even if it's just for a term or so. Sometimes lots of activities — even if they're all fun — can make you feel stressed by keeping you busy all the time. On the other hand, if problems at home are troubling you, in fact some after-school activities may help you relax and feel better.

      There are also relaxation exercises that you can use to get rid of stress. The easiest one to do is to breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Do this two to four times.

      You can do exercises like these anytime, without anyone noticing. You can even do breathing exercises in class if you're nervous before a test.

      The best way to keep stress away is to have a balanced life. That means making good decisions about how to spend your time. If you're only dealing with schoolwork and have no time to play, you can get stressed. Make sure you keep your SELF in mind: Sleep, Exercise, Leisure (something fun), and Food.

      If you take care of yourself and get enough sleep and food, and if you exercise and leave time for fun schoolwork, you'll probably be less stressed out!