As the beeping of the alarm clock invades her peaceful dream, Tori Waddell’s body seems to act on its own accord as she finds herself walking numbly towards her closet. Yet another day had begun and she has no choice but to force her brain to wake up as much as possible so as to face the jam packed list of activities up ahead.

Stress is one of the leading medical issues found in adolescents, but unfortunately most teens do not know of any healthy ways to deal with the stress that accompanies their busy life style. An excess amount of stress can produce some very harmful side effects thus resulting in the necessity of finding some sort of relief while still leading an active life style.

One student has been forced into finding techniques that allow her to relax and function through the stress.

“Any spare time I have I try and find a form of meditation to help me relax,” senior Tori Waddell said. “For example, I constantly have laid back music on to help me slow down and make sure I make it through the day.”

The generalized view of teens being lazy and not working is a contradiction to the fact that most teens are involved in several activities that provide a very packed daily routine. Waddell is a prime example of such a teen.

“I wake up at 5, and then start babysitting a 1 year-old and 6 year-old,” Waddell said. “After about three hours I take the 1 year-old to day care, and then take the 6 year-old to school. After that I head to the high school where I go to four class periods. I then head to my internship at the CareNet Pregnancy Center in Amarillo. After that I make it back to school for 8^th period, and if it is Tuesday I then head to Electric Beach where I work from 3:45 to 7:30. And all that doesn’t include homework, chores, and whatever else I have to do when I get home. “

With so many things to do and such little time to do it in, Waddell advises others to keep a determined mindset.

“What constantly keeps me in check is mentally making a list of what is most important to me and focusing on what is on the top of that list,” Waddell said. “Make the most out of the time you have.”