Children undergo a lot of changes during their teen years. From physical, emotional, social and psychological changes, teens have a lot going on, as young as we may see them.
Today’s teenagers are most easily influenced by the social aspect of their lives. Peer pressure, social acceptance and being part of “in crowd” are only a few of the things that go through their young minds.
You may think it’s easy, after all you went through your teens and made it to the other side. Well, it may be a different story for your teen.
With the changes come the different levels of stress that affect your teen. This is where anxiety starts to develop.
While some teens can deal with this kind of stress on their own, some may find it a little too challenging. It may even lead to severe anxiety and depression.
As a parent, you are also fighting an inner struggle whether to swoop in or let your child learn to manage difficult emotion. The good news is you can definitely help.
Helping Your Teen Manage Anxiety & Stress
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Encourage Regular Exercise
Let’s face it. Today’s teens are becoming less and less physically active.
They’re more active socially, especially with social media. You can help turn that around.
Exercise can help your teenager release stress and anxiety in ways looking at a six-inch screen never could. Being physically active not only makes them healthier, it also releases endorphins which triggers a positive reaction to the body.
Yes, exercise can make them happy.
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Lookout for Signs Your Teen is Stressed Out
Sometimes, teens find it difficult to share about their anxiety and stress. This is why it’s important to listen to what they’re not saying.
Look at the signs. As the parent, you should know and understand your child’s behavior.
If you see a change in pattern, a sudden drop in their regular enthusiasm level, or even a change of who they hang out with, you will want to sit them down and talk to them. Be their friend and confidante.
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Talk and Listen
It’s normal for teens to feel uneasy talking about their emotions, stress and anxiety to a parent. Don’t give up!
Allow your teen to take their time and when they’re ready, be there to listen. Permit them to talk and listen to what they have to say.
Let your teen feel you’re there to help, even when it means you just have to listen.
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Encourage Independence
Encouraging independence in your teen will make them feel you trust them enough to face their own battles, while you stand behind them to help anytime, too. It will also give them a renewed sense of responsibility, taking away the focus on the things that causes their stress and anxiety.
Remember, they need you to trust them.
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Avoid Excess Caffeine Intake
Caffeine fuels our minds and bodies to stay awake and be active. However, caffeine may cause palpitations which, coupled with anxiety and stress, can double its effect on an already anxious teen.
While some may say they can’t function without coffee, encourage your teen to reduce their caffeine intake. Instead, come up with diet plans that will improve their health, tone their body and help them achieve the body weight they want.
Instead of coffee or a caffinated soft drink, suggest they drink green tea or reduced sugar smoothies.
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Make Sure your Teen has Enough Time to Chill
Stress and anxiety can root from being too busy with their social life and not having enough time for themselves. Teens, kids, children – their young minds would think by enjoying and spending time with their friends, it already is a healthy habit for their well-being.
Remind your teen a little “me-time” is also necessary to refresh the mind and soul.
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Use Distraction Tactics
Distraction is the simplest and easiest way to make your teen forget about the things causing their anxiety and stress. When you see a change in their aura, be quick to distract them.
Take them out, treat them to good food or have a good time with them. At times, you just need to remind them there are more things in the world they can be positive about.
Remind yourself this always: you are the parent here. You can help and you can definitely do something to put in your teen in the best position to manage their stress and anxiety.
Your home is where they will seek shelter from all the things threatening their peace of mind. Make your home feel warmer and more welcoming.
Even if it already is, to some of these teens, they will need a little more encouragement and love from the people they look up to the most.
Being a teenager is hard, hard for teens and their parents. It’s a time when things start to change both physically and emotionally.
Hormones are raging and it can get very confusing at times. Often, because of the mess they are facing, teenagers have trouble concentrating and focusing on the important tasks ahead.
They only seem interested in frivolous things like hanging out with their friends and getting noticed by their crush. Get tips on how to direct their attention the right way.
