Stress often comes from the sneakiest of places and hits us like a ton of bricks. Even in the supposedly carefree summer months -- when you're not loaded down with homework and studying -- stress can rear its ugly head, whether it's anxiety over your "bikini body" or Instagram envy. And when you add stress about being stressed on top of it ("I shouldn't be stressed! It's July!"), you've got enough tension to ruin a perfectly beautiful summer day.


Don't let unnecessary stress sabotage what can be the most relaxing time of the year. Here are nine things not to worry about this summer:


1. Having the perfect "beach body."


shape


Few things can provoke more anxiety during the summer season than wearing a swimsuit in public. Going to the beach, an activity that should be fun and relaxing, can easily become a battle with the mirror. But your self-perceived imperfections don't have to take the fun out of one of the best activities of the summer. When you're feeling body-negative, try to remember that there is no one perfect "bikini body," and find a swimsuit that makes you feel confident in whatever size you wear.


In the words of XOJane blogger Leslie Kinzel[1] , "“I have a beach body. It’s this one, the one I take to the beach.” So try to let go and enjoy lounging poolside -- with exactly the body you have right now.


2. Getting a perfect tan.


tanning legs


Every summer magazine photo may seem to feature a model with pair of perfectly-tanned legs and a bronzed glow, but that doesn't mean you should stress about your not-quite-golden skin tone. Pale can be just as beautiful as tan (just look at Lily Collins[2] , who totally embraces her Snow White skintone), and we shouldn't have to tell you that it's never worth putting your health at risk for your appearance. You probably already know that tanning is pretty bad for you[3] -- so avoid tanning beds, and if you're going to be outside at the beach all day, take these sun-friendly supplies [4] with you.


If Scarlett Johansson [5] can vow to never go out in the sun without a hat or umbrella, surely you can find a way to embrace your natural skintone and keep your skin safe this summer.


3. Having a summer fling.


romance


Ever since Danny and Sandy sang and danced about the joys of "Summer Lovin'" in "Grease," teen movies have mythologized the summer fling. Yes, it can be fun to have a crush at camp or spend the summer going to movies and enjoying the warm weather with your new siggo (and admittedly, we'd all like to have a fling that makes us feel like this[6] ). But you know what else is awesome? Spending the summer hanging out with your family and best friends, or just enjoying some relaxing "me time" free from the pressures of the school year.


4. Getting ahead at school.


books


Sure, if you have SATs or college applications coming up, or you've been dumped with a mountain of summer reading books, you'll need to put in a little time at the library. But if you're working excessively to get ahead in your classes next year or try to boost your chances of getting into college, it's time to reconsider your summer priorities. The whole point of summer is to take a vacation, even if you're not going anywhere. Breaks have been linked with increased productivity[7] , better mood and improved energy[8] . Nobody does their best work when they're burned out -- so make sure you take enough time to relax in order to return to school feeling rested and recharged.


5. Keeping tabs on all your friends.


facebook


Summer is the best time (and in some cases, the only possible time) to enjoy the luxury of going off the grid for a while. So instead of constantly checking in with your circle on social media, try unplugging for a while (it sounds crazy, we know). Maybe even go on your family vacation and purposely forget your phone charger. It might feel weird at first, but you'll quickly tap back into the pleasures of living with less technology -- like a slower pace and more face-to-face interaction -- and we'll bet your anxiety levels will drop down a few notches. Trust us: A mental snapshot is often just as good as a filtered one. Which brings us to our next point...


7. Doing nothing.


meditation tips


Yes, doing nothing can be good for you! Let go of your need to fill your day with constant activity and distractions, and just let yourself enjoy doing nothing. There's no reason to feel guilty about enjoying a little good old-fashioned boredom. Stick your head up there in the clouds, let yourself daydream[9] , get bored[10] , and go through your day without a schedule. You might be surprised at how liberated -- and stress-free -- you feel.


6. Working all summer.


summer job


Working at Starbucks or in your dad's office this summer? OK, so you might be a little jealous of your friends who are lounging at their beach houses, but you might actually be happy in the long-run that you worked a summer job. A 2005 survey[11] found that high school students who enter the work force exhibit higher levels of confidence than those who don't get their first jobs until later in life. Not to mention that you'll learn valuable work and personal finance skills. It's worthwhile -- trust us.


8. Reinventing yourself for the new school year.


high school hallways


The fresh start of a new school year is a great time to reflect on what you want and to set goals for the semester ahead. But don't get too caught up in feeling like you need to reinvent yourself, or come back to school with a whole new wardrobe, haircut and group of friends. Use the summer to reflect, set your own goals, and if you want to, change your appearance in ways that make you feel more like you -- but don't do it to please anyone else. The "best school year ever" only happens once you've finally given yourself the freedom not to care what anyone else thinks of you.


9. Trying to have as much fun as everyone else.


instagram


Social media has a sneaky way of making us feel inadequate -- even if we have absolutely no reason to. And of course, it's easy to make your life look perfect on Facebook and Instagram, but these carefully selected and perfectly filtered images never tell the full truth about someone's experience. Instead of letting vacation envy get the best of you and trying to keep up with how much fun it looks like all your friends are having, remember that this summer is your own. Focus your energy on relaxing and having new experiences -- and the fun part will take care of itself.


Tell us: What are you vowing not to stress about this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet @HuffPostTeen[12] !



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  • Your College Major


    Most college freshmen don't know their major going into college -- and if they do, they frequently end up changing it after a semester or a year. The whole point of college is exploration: Take your time and try out different subjects until you find one that sticks.




  • What You're Looking For In A Relationship


    It can take a lot of relationship experience to figure out what you're really looking for in a partner. And by no means is that something you need to fugure out in high school or even college. Spending times with different types of people, and having both good and bad experiences with them, will make your needs and desires clear in time.




  • Spending WAY Too Much Time On Tumblr


    OK, so scrolling through Tumblr until 3 a.m. when you have an exam the next morning is probably not the best idea, but don't feel bad about spending a seemingly inordinate amount of time on your favorite social network. Twitter and Tumblr can be a great way to connect with others and figure out your own interests and aesthetics.




  • Defining Your Personal Style


    Your style will likely change drastically as you get older and experiment with different looks -- don't worry about figuring out whether to label your style as "glam" or "boho." Just look at Taylor Swift, who has changed her signature style with each album. Have fun exploring and gradually figuring out what looks you feel the most, well, <em>you</em>.




  • Having A Perfect Resume


    In high school and college, there's a lot of pressure to succeed in your academics, extra-curriculars and internships. But if you participate in activities and go after awards solely for the sake of your resume -- not out of real interest -- colleges and employers will probably be able to tell. Do things because they're what you love!




  • Being A Super-Fan


    So what if you worship your favorite star? Now is the time in your life to declare your unfailing, til-death-to-us-part devotion to that special singer or actor you love. Don't let the haters make you feel embarrassed about that "one thing" you can't get enough of -- whether it's the Biebs or the 1D boys. You have the whole rest of your life to play it cool.




  • Finding The Right Group Of Friends


    Finding good friends in high school is important, but don't stress about it too much if you have never found the perfect group of friends. As you move into college and the real world, where you're interacting with a larger and more diverse demographic, you'll find those people you <em>really </em>want to spend your time with.




  • Being Able To Cook A Gourmet Meal


    Even if cooking isn't your thing, it's still worth learning how to make a meal that doesn't come out of a can or box. But don't stress about being able to prepare meals worthy of a five-star restaurant -- simple, basic recipes can still be healthy, delicious, and impressive to dinner party guests.




  • Finding 'The One'


    Think your high school sweetheart is the real deal? Finding love when you're young is an incredible experience, but don't worry too much about finding your "forever." You have years ahead of you to find yourself before you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.




  • Still Going To Your Parents For Help


    If you're 12, 18, or even 30 years old, it's okay to lean on your parents for help or support whenever you need it. Growing up means learning to do things on your own, yes, but it doesn't mean that you have to do it all alone. Learn to lean on the people who will always be there for you.




  • Understanding Your Sexuality


    Sexuality and attraction can take many different forms, and it's something you can spend your entire life exploring. Questioning your sexual orientation can be a challenging process, but try to remember that it's okay if you're still figuring it all out.




  • Defining Your Political Beliefs


    Not sure if you lean liberal or conservative, or what exactly all the differences are between the Democrats and the GOP? Don't sweat it. While it's important to stay informed about current events and issues in our country, figuring out what side you're on isn't so important. It's the issues, not the parties, that really matter.




  • Getting A Credit Card


    Unless you HAVE to, just don't. Credit cards are dangerous because they can feel like free money -- a track that many debt-laden college students have fallen into. Stick to cash and a debit card until you determine that you're ready to build good credit and have the resources to pay off your bill every month.




  • Acting Like A Little Kid Sometimes


    In your rush to leave childhood in the dust, don't worry about acting like a kid sometimes -- you know, taking time to just <em>play</em>. Make a 10-minute stop at the swingset on your walk home, let yourself doodle during class, and enjoy an ice cream cone (with rainbow sprinkles) when you're having a bad day and need a pick-me-up.




  • Being Single


    When your friends are all in relationships and every teen magazine is giving you tips on how to "Get a boyfriend now!" it's hard not to feel inadequate about being single. Whether you're a serial dater or you've never been in a real relationship, learning how to embrace being on your own is a skill that will make you stronger -- and happier -- for the rest of your life.




  • Following A 'Life Timeline'


    For the more type-A among us, it's almost instinctive to try to chart out your life: Make the varsity team by sophomore year, get a boyfriend or girlfriend by senior year, travel abroad by 18, get a job right out of college. It's important to have goals, but let's be honest -- life doesn't really work that way. Save yourself a lot of frustration by being flexible about when you accomplish things and not getting too upset when life don't go exactly according to plan.




  • Being Perfect


    This goes for individuals of all ages, but the pressure to be perfect can be especially challenging as a teenager. Time spent worrying about being a straight-A student, having a flawless figure or living the perfect life is time wasted. Embrace your flaws.




  • Knowing If/When You Want To Get Married Or Have Kids


    Whether you think you may want to start a family right after you graduate or the mere idea of marriage sends you into a tailspin, knowing if and when you want to settle down isn't something to waste your energy worrying about. Chances are, you'll change your mind a handful of times during your teens, 20s and 30s before you figure it out -- and that's totally OK.




  • Knowing What You Want To Do For The Rest Of Your Life


    When you're feeling pressured to figure out where you're going to college, what your major will be, and in turn, what you want in your career, it's easy to stress out over your entire life plan. But the truth of the matter is that interests evolve and that most people change their careers many times of their course of their lives. If you haven't found your passion, experiment with things that sound fun to you until something clicks -- and trust that, eventually, it will.




  • Knowing Who You Are


    We've heard time and again that change is life's only constant -- and it's true. Especially when you're a teenager, you're still changing and figuring out who you are, a process that will continue for most if not all of your life. Instead of feeling pressured to define yourself based on your musical taste or relationships, enjoy the lifelong process of discovering -- and creating -- yourself.