Friday, April 28, 2000
Teen girls learn how to cope with stress
By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Shamekko Early's young life is a jumble of college preparatory classes, extracurricular activities, friends, family and her own heartfelt fears and insecurities.
At 17, the Walnut Hills High School senior and soon-to-be freshman at the University of Cincinnati already knows about stress.
Shamekko, one of more than 600 area girls at the first Teen 2000: Always Cool conference Thursday, hopes to learn how to combat the potential effects those pressures could have on her health. The event, held at Oasis Hall in Clermont County's Miami Township, is an offshoot of the Speaking of Women's Health conference.
“Sometimes it's all I can do to get my homework done,” she said. “My school is very cliquish. I get tired of all the back and forth that goes on. It's hard for some people to look beyond how they think others should be.”
And, as she heads to college, she's hoping to avoid pressure-induced overeating.
“I just want to learn how to choose a well-balanced meal, especially in college,” she said.
Melissa Becker, 18, of Wyoming High School, agreed.
A member of her school's basketball team as well as a soccer player, Melissa hoped to learn ways to avoid injury, manage her time effectively and relieve stress.
For her part, she learned how meditation can alleviate pressure, while proper stretching and nutrition can help her avoid injury.
Mary Feeley Fisher, a motivational speaker and humorist based in Kansas City, Mo., urged the girls to reject impressions that they should be quiet and non-assertive.
“I have fought all my life to stamp out that stereotype. What's wrong with speaking out and being bombastic?” Ms. Fisher said, adding that humor can be a great way to fend off such negativity.
“The power of positive thinking (by itself) doesn't work. You can think positive things and recite them to yourself, but without humor, without making yourself laugh, those positive words just become useless chants,” she said.
“Laughing unites people. It breaks down stress and tension and shows that you have confidence in yourself,” Ms. Fisher said.
“You need to balance your serious sides with humor.”
Both Melissa and Shamekko said they were pleased with the one-day conference and intend to put some of the techniques they learned into practice.
Cincinnati unprepared for terrorist acts
Submit your ideas for state motto
Bengals sue to manage stadium
Bishop Tutu next 'Freedom Conductor'
Son of Beast takes off today
Coach's sons charged in Badin drug theft
Kidnap victim strangled, burned
Police union criticizes Luken
Census-takers hit streets for count
Convicted murderer's rape trial gets under way
Cops crack down on drugs
Education solutions vary
McNicholas students protest coach's firing
Newport teen guilty of murder
Rally draws attention to rape
Book gives kids problem-solving tools
Report: State laws weak on charter schools
Test teaches parents how to help
Congressmen seek vote on Ohio motto
GET TO IT
Going to a wedding? You might find a date
'Mommy Magic' casts a spell of love
TRISTATE DIGEST
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Adults invited to NKU
Butler County drug-board leader resigns
Classes help to clear trail
Clinton to visit schools in Ky., Ohio
Fine Arts Fund surpasses goal
Foes likely can't halt Hamilton park road
GOP 'David' targets Goliath
Kings building 2 schools
Ky. man charged in e-mail threats
Ludlow council again OKs budget mayor vetoed
Painting depicts aviation history
Policeman injured in mall chase
Sharonville decides against I-275 buffers
Taft's free tickets criticized
Teen girls learn how to cope with stress
'Traffic' movie needs extra extras
Values curricula proposed
Veteran lawman to serve as interim Carlisle police chief
Walton firm creates exhibit for dinosaur shows
