Page 197 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

under stress. For example, a student weak in study may desire to get A in all the subjects
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but when he/she cannot get success, he/she can have mental stress.

ii. Lack of commitment
Everyone needs high commitment for doing better in any works like studies, job, business,
etc. Adolescents have desire of getting success with less effort or no effort at all. When the
adolescents do not get success due to lack of commitment, they get frustrated and get
tensed or remain under stress.

iii. Conflict in family
The family environment also causes mental tension in adolescents. When there is quarrels
among the parents and family members, they cannot concentrate in their studies and
work properly. The desires and wants of the adolescents get shattered. As a result, they
get anxiety and mental tensions. Very often, the divorce among the parents also creates
mental tension in the adolescents.

iv. Duality of motives
Sometimes, people may have to choose only one thing from many important things. In such
condition, people have mental tension for the right decision. For example, after getting
good marks in SEE exam, an adolescent may have problems in choosing the subjects
in higher level. He/she may desire to study one subject whereas his/her parents may
want them to study other subject. They might have one interest but yet they might think
parents are their well wishers and they take better decisions for them. In this situation, he/
she may have difficulty in taking right decision and remain under stress.

v. Altered physical condition and mental status
Adolescents remain in stress due to change in physical condition. Boys have tensions due
to change in voice, appearance of pimples, regarding the size of penis, etc. Similarly, girls
remain tensed regarding the starting of menstruation cycle, size of breasts, etc. Even, they
remain under stress due to negative responses from the parents, teachers and friends.

Ways to solve mental tension
There are several ways to reduce mental tensions. Some of them are as follows:
a. Adolescents should share their problems with parents, teachers and friends.
b. They should not remain alone so that they cannot have frustration and depression.
c. They should set their goals within their capabilities so that it can be achieved.
d. They must get involved into recreational activities like playing games, dancing,
singing, etc.
e. They must be given responsibilities so that they gain confidence.
f. They should be given extra chances to take part in curricular activities.
g. They should be given balanced diet and have proper sleep.

GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 197