The Sounds of Advice #57: Pressures of Early Adulthood

Coping with the pressures of early adulthood:

Aisling: Coping with pressures during early adulthood can be stressful and difficult to manage. 
If you can manage to avoid what is pressuring you by all means just avoid it. 
If avoiding it isn't possible try to learn some ways that can help you deal with the stress, such as writing in a journal to vent your feelings. 
Try to think positive, get enough sleep and focus on your goals. 
Also try setting smaller goals that you can focus on that will help you reach your main goal in the long run. Focusing on things like these can help take your focus off of what may be pressuring you so much.

Sandy: Being a kid can be hard. Being an adult is also hard. However, having to be a kid while having to do things an adult would do is even harder.

As a kid we always want to grown up because we see our parents doing things and we want to do them too. It is just part of being human.  Nothing is wrong with it, it is perfectly normal. However, sometimes as a kid we have to do those adult things like raise your younger siblings because your parents aren't there (whatever the reason might be).

As a mom of 4 kids of different ages I find myself struggling with it some days. This is never something a kid should have to deal with. It happens more often than it should. To help get through this and other things that may come up. Best thing you can do is ask for help from another adult. It may be hard based on what might be going on, but you don't have to go through it alone. Don't ever be afraid to ask for help. If help isn't around do the best you can until you can ask someone for help. Make sure that you are eating as much food as you can. It may not be easy, but you need to make sure your body has something. :)

always remember someone is there willing to help you if you ask for it. :) you are never really alone, even if it feels like you are.

Michaelle: Tips for dealing with pressures of early adulthood.
This will be time when you will explore more ways to earn money through different places of employment, side jobs, and freelance projects. Being open to trying and learning new skills will greatly benefit you at this new time of survival.
Life seems to move a little faster during this time as you are working a career, studying for a career, and/or both. Good time management during this time will help alleviate much stress and anxiety. Using a planner or electronic calendar are great ways to best manage your time and activities.
Relationships will seem different at this time in life. Family will see you making a place for yourself in this world. Make sure to keep up with family and make time for them. They will still be your main support system. Friends will also be making a life for themselves, so you may see people come and go as you figure your space out in the world. 
Lastly, keep doing what you are doing. Be you, make your own decisions and take what you hear from others with a grain of salt, especially the criticism.

Kate:  Stress is a part of life. It is the body’s way of preparing you for a difficult situation, by releasing hormones into your blood stream that help you respond. If you are feeling stressed a lot of time, it could be a sign that you need some help coping or need to change your lifestyle.

Signs of stress
You might:
have headaches
feel sick
have sore muscles
have diarrhoea or constipation
have indigestion
have poor sleep
not be able concentrate

feel your heart beating faster

Tips for coping with stress:
Think about a positive statement you can tell yourself when you're feeling signs of stress (ie "I can take a break, relax, breathe more slowly and become calmer’ " )
Remind yourself of things that are going right in your life (ie: "I am good at ….")
Picture yourself coping in the situation you feel stressed about (eg see yourself doing that test, being relaxed about it and doing well).
Find time to do things that you enjoy. This lessens the feelings of stress and helps you deal with it.
Try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, stretching or gentle exercise. 
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Breathing_to_reduce_stress?open
Meditation can help some people. (http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Meditation?open )
Make time for yourself, your relationships and social life.
Eat well.
Take breaks from work or study.
Work out what things are important and need to be done, and what can be left until later or not done at all.
Work out what things are actually under your control and you can do something about, and try not to worry about things outside your control.
Ask for help from friends or family when things are getting too much.

People may try alcohol smoking, and sometimes other drugs to reduce the feelings of stress. These do not make any difference to the causes of the stress and can make problems worse.