School can be a long and hard activity for teenagers, so what do they do when they get home to decompress? Students at Wilsonville High School have various methods for relaxing after a long day of learning.

For many students, physical activity is a key component of their decompression routine. Whether it’s to replenish their energy levels or to clear their minds, engaging in exercise after school is a popular choice. However, some students prefer a more sedentary approach, opting to relax by watching a show, reading a book, or taking a nap before tackling their homework. 

Students at Wilsonville High School demonstrate remarkable adaptability in managing their time. For athletes whose practice sessions are immediately after school, being active is a necessity. However, for those with later practice times, they find ways to stay awake and productive, ensuring they can complete their homework and perform well at practice.

Junior Izzy Wellhouser says, “The best way to decompress is to be active.” She is an athlete who practices right after school, so she has no choice but to be active. But Izzy also says practicing “helps [her] stay awake and is a good way to reduce stress from [the] school day.” Then, when she gets home, most of the stress is gone, and she can focus on her other work.

Another way to decompress and forget about all of the stress from the day is to be around the people you love. Senior Abbie Memmott agrees that being active is “a great way to relax after I’m done with school” but also says that there are times when being active isn’t a great option. When she doesn’t feel like being active will help her relax from the school day, Memmott says, “I like to watch a show with my dad and relax,” which helps her unwind from a long day.

Overall, students have so many options when it comes to unwinding from a long day. Whether it be participating in a sport that releases all the stress or lying down and relaxing, decompressing is very important to stay healthy and on top of all of your work.