Discuss the impact of academic stressful education on adolescents'

physical and mental health and propose some achievable solutions.

In today's fast-paced and competitive environment, the pressure to excel academically has

become a significant source of stress for adolescents (Sun et al., 2011). This stress can have

profound consequences for both physical and mental health, resulting in issues such as anxiety,

depression, sleep disturbances, and even physical ailments (Chacón-Cuberos et al., 2019; Lal,

2014). As educational demands continue to escalate, it is essential to understand the impact of

this stress on young individuals and to explore effective solutions to alleviate its effects. This

essay will examine two consequences of academic stress on students and propose corresponding

solutions to encourage a healthier balance between academic achievement and overall well-

being.

High levels of academic stress can significantly affect the mental well-being of teenagers.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, Mental Health, 2022), mental health is

defined as a state of social well-being that allows individuals to lead fulfilling lives and make

sound decisions during challenging times. However, extensive research indicates that mental

health is closely tied to chronic stress stemming from various sources, including social pressures,

peer competition, family expectations, and academic demands (Avison & Gotlib, 1994, p. 5;

Pascoe et al., 2019). The intense pressure associated with academics—evident through
continuous homework assignments, frequent examinations, fierce competition among peers, and

rigid teaching practices—can have a detrimental impact on a student’s mental health,

significantly increasing the risk of developing depression. Studies show that adolescents facing

academic stress are 2.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to their

peers who do not experience such stress (Pascoe et al., 2019). Furthermore, over one-fifth of

college students in Boston, United States, report mental health challenges related to the high

demands of academic life, with some even contemplating suicide due to these pressures

(Reinberg, 2018).

In addition to the mental health issues that can result from academic stress, another problem

that can result from this is physical health. Chacón-Cuberos et al. (2019) emphasize that

individuals operating in high-pressure environments, particularly in academia, are more prone to

adopting unhealthy lifestyles, which can result in health issues such as heart disease and

dizziness. According to data from a sample of 10 high school students (4,317 students) from

California high schools with median family incomes over $90,000, the average amount of

homework students do each night is 3.1 hours. Therefore, excessive academic stress leads to

problems with students' sleep quality within the research. According to Weidner et al. (1996),

133 undergraduate students completed the test during periods of low and high academic

performance requirements. The results of this test pointed to an increase in general negative

emotions, a decrease in the frequency of exercise time, etc., and a deterioration in physical health

during periods of sustained high stress.

In order to address the issue of academic stress affecting mental health, schools should
arrange relevant counselling sessions or counselling offices. Students can confide their feelings

and thoughts to the counsellor at the counselling office and get comforted. Talking about one's

predicament and unhappy feelings can reduce the risk of depression by almost 24% (Kingsland,

2020). Further, according to Ramos-Monsivais et al. (2024), relevant counselling exercises and

psychological detachment can promote students' mental health, academic performance and even

social well-being.

Apart from arranging counselling for students to freshen up their mental health, schools

should also arrange suitable and appropriate amounts of physical activities for students' physical

health. Appropriate sports will promote the human brain to secrete dopamine, which can help

mobilise the human body's mood and energy so that people can work and live better, and even

study. According to Zhu et al. in 2024, extracurricular physical activity can reduce academic

stress and promote students' physical and mental health.

The stressors inherent in academic education have adversely affected both mental health and

physical health of overall well-being. To effectively address this issue, it is imperative that

educational institutions formulate and implement comprehensive policies. The successful

execution of these policies requires active participation from both management and grassroots

stakeholders.
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