Hu Yaohui, a schoolgirl in Zhejiang Province, didn't want to speak or eat for a week. She kept worrying about her grades on the exam. "I can't stop thinking about my place in the class," she said. "I feel stressed out. "
Hu is not the only one that faces stress. According to a recent survey conducted by Wuhan University of Hubei Province, 70 percent of the 2, 000 students who are going to take the college and high school entrance exams feel under pressure.
Stress is a normal physical response (反应) to things that make people feel worried or break their balance of life in some way.
Stress isn't always bad. Sometimes, people's stress is important during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to stop his car to avoid an accident. Sometimes, stress can help people do their best - like while getting ready before a big competition or exam.
However, too much or long-term stress gives people a stress overload (负荷过多). People with stress overloads may have problems remembering or focusing on things. They are quick to get angry or lose patience. They may even have other problems, such as sleeping problems, headaches and often getting colds.
The most helpful way to deal with stress overloads is to learn how to manage the stress. For example, you might manage it by getting a good night's sleep, or by exercising every day.
Another good way to deal with stress is to ask parents or friends for help. Everyone has stress. For many people, stress is so common that it has become a way of life. Don't be too shy to tell others that you are having a hard time. They may comfort you or give you some useful advice. Sometimes just sharing your problems with someone else can make you feel better.
