SouthFlorida.com | Teen Link South Florida

I invite you to take a look inside the average high schooler's mind.

But you do so at your own risk.

"Remember community service on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wait, make that 11 to 3. Oh no, SAT tutoring's at 4 p.m. Sundays. Totally forgot! Now I'll never have time to finish that AP report by Monday. Doesn't help that it was assigned Friday! Oh! Tuesday, presentation in Biology on the importance of the endoplasmic reticulum. Whatever that is. And so much for that 4.0, I'm pulling C's in two classes. … Need music. Must unwind. … Great. Left the iPod on the bus. Huh, what's that? A progress report? For what? … Your daughter failed to complete a homework assignment. … Out of nine questions she only answered eight? And therefore will not receive credit for the assignment?!"

Get ready. Here comes the crash.

A sort of numbness begins to spread and suddenly impacts like a speeding car slamming into a brick wall.

A gratuitous amount of screaming follows; then, the meltdown fades, and all that's left is reluctance.

I feel like I've devolved back into a toddler – a toddler who is very unwilling to do her math homework, who wants nothing more than to curl up on the couch with some ice cream and forget everything for the moment.

How can anyone perform under these harrowing conditions?

Stress is not invigorating, nor is it biologically or mentally beneficial. Stress eats away at resolve; it physically and mentally weakens even the sturdiest of souls. Soon, there is no will to work left.

In addition, the effects of stress are not exactly pleasant, as most teens can confirm. The usual side effects of stress include headaches and mood swings.

However, in extreme cases, some teens can become mentally unstable, even violent, due to all the pressure building in their lives.

This not only endangers them, but the people around them.

With all these horrible side effects, stress sounds more like a disease than anything else. With so many negative attributes, it is hard to imagine that stress can be beneficial.

Stress is not conducive to good work ethic. Though I personally do not suffer the more extreme effects of stress, I still experience a lack of motivation, as well as an occasional headache.

If anyone can tell me how to work through stress, I'll willingly listen. I'll be on the couch with a bowl of ice cream and a TiVo remote if you want to find me.