Stress Less Week took place this week, hosted by PALs in an effort to help students relieve stress with finals week quickly approaching.

“In the PALs room during our fifth period, we [plan] new activities that we think would be beneficial towards each student and their mental health … kind of as a way to distract the students and bring some positive energy so they have something to look forward to and understand that their grades are not only what matters, and [that] we are so proud of everyone just for getting through this week,” PALs member Arya Cheema (11) said.

Different activities were coordinated by PALs each day: hot chocolate on Monday, letters to Rady Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, hydration packs on Wednesday, therapy dogs on Thursday and stress toys on Friday. According to PALs member Caitlyn Van Hoose (11), while PALs come up with new activities every year, they “try to pick the things that are the most student-popular.” Hot chocolate and stress toys are two of the student favorites.

“I think that I’m very stressed out about finals, but PALs do a lot at our school to help us relieve the stress and gives us a lot of outlets that’s really helpful,” Mary Pruett (10), who received hot chocolate from PALs, said.

Stress Less Week proves to be helpful for not only the participating students, but for PALs members as well.

“I think there’s a lot of stress around campus just preparing for finals, and especially, like, the end of unit tests that happened this week as well, including in PALs,” Van Hoose said. “We’re all stressed as well. And I think it being Stress Less Week not only helps the students, but it also helps us.”

Students can feel “a bit frantic” leading up to the finals, according to Counselor Christina Hooton.

“Ensure you’re taking care of your basic needs — get enough sleep, hopefully at least 8 hours per night, eat nutritious food that will help fuel your brain for studying and test taking, stay hydrated and take movement breaks every day,” Hooton said.

Stress Less Week graphic by April Kato

While participating in Stress Less Week was one way for students to decompress, many have found methods outside of school that help them get through this time of the year.

“I’ve learned that going to the beach or exercising really helps me relieve stress, especially to just take my mind off of school and everything,” Pruett said.

PALs member Lindsay Lardon (11) shared another routine.

“I make sure to keep track of my mental health,” Lardon said. “I like to exercise, go on runs and go to the gym. I also kind of like to meditate and go to the sunset watches, try to relax and enjoy my time, while also making sure that when I’m studying, I’m being the most effective I can be. So just making sure I’m doing well mentally and physically.”

Ultimately, Stress Less Week has garnered favourable responses from the school community as a prospect for mental ease.

“I think that the PALs Stress Less Week is a fantastic event,” Hooton said. “It is a great opportunity for students to engage in acts of kindness and support one another, fostering a sense of community along the way. When students feel supported, their general well-being is better.”