Much of the stress comes from school. Schools expect more of teens today than they did in the past. Teens are taking harder courses.

Families can cause stress, too. A divorce or even a move can put pressure on a teenager.

Teens react to stress in many ways. Some act out, confronting parents and teachers. Others turn inward, getting depressed and withdrawn. Still others turn to cigarettes, alcohol or drugs.

Teens need to learn to recognize the signs of stress and deal with it quickly. Here are some tips:

• Get enough sleep. Teens who are tired will feel more stress.

• Eat before school. Have some healthy foods handy that your teen can grab on her way out.

• Try deep breathing. If your teen starts to feel stressed, have her think about breathing slowly.

• Study regularly. Getting behind in schoolwork is a source of stress. Help your teen create a study schedule and stick to it.

• Set a good example. Teens learn how to deal with stress from their parents.

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