5 top tips to help you effectively manage and deal with stress

With exam season now in full swing, stress levels are likely to be sky-high among the nation's youngsters as they face the pressures of the dreaded tests.

While stress is not uncommon, its effect on mental health is on the rise, with more than 85 per cent of UK adults experiencing stress regularly, and stress among young people under 25 rising by an alarming 10 per cent each year.

Taking stress seriously

Initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness week have contributed to getting more people talking about mental health, helping to make it less of a taboo subject, but with many stigmas still attached, many still struggle to reach out and seek help.

According to The Mix, the UK's leading support service for young people, the growing number of under 25s affected by stress stems from immense social and societal pressures, but while conversations about mental health are becoming more normalised, stress is often dismissed as something to simply overcome.

As such, it is important for young people to know and understand what causes their stress and anxiety so they can seek the correct help.

The causes of stress

Research has shown that the average wait time for a routine psychological therapy appointment is 32 weeks.

As a result, online organisations and communities like The Mix are becoming increasingly popular and are criticial in providing support to those who need it.

A recent survey carried out by The Mix revealed that 28 per cent of respondents were more comfortable using online resources for help.

It also found that 97 per cent of the under 25s questioned admitted to regularly feeling stressed, while an overwhelming 45 per cent said they thought about their causes of stress multiple times per day.

Findings of the poll revealed the main sources of young people's stress were:

Financial - 60 per centWork related - 42 per centStudies - 32 per cent

Studying is one of the biggest causes of stress among young people (Photo: Pexels)