Teenagers, like adults, might experience stress every day and may benefit from learning stress management skills. Teens experience more pressure when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the tools to deal.
Some sources of stress for teenagers include:-
– School demands and frustrations
– Negative thoughts or feelings about themselves
– Changes in their bodies
– Problems with friends and/or peers at school
– Unsafe living environment/neighborhood
– Separation or divorce of parents
– Chronic illness or severe problems in the family
– Death of a loved one
– Relocation or changing schools
– To undertake too many activities or have too high expectations
– Family financial issues
– Some teens become overloaded with pressure.
When this happens, it can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use. Changes happen to prepare us to react to danger we perceive a situation as hard or painful. This fight, flight, or freeze reaction includes faster heart and respiratory rate, enhanced blood into muscles of arms and legs, cold or wet hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread. Can turn off it. The moment we determine that a situation is dangerous, changes can occur in bodies and our minds to help us unwind and relax. This relaxation response includes reduced heart and respiratory rate and a feeling of well being.
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Teens that develop a relaxation response along with other stress management skills feel less powerless and have more selections when responding to stress.
Parents might help their teenager in following manners :-
– Monitor if pressure is affecting their teen’s health, behavior, thoughts, or emotions
– Listen cautiously to teenagers and watch for overload
– Learn and model pressure management skills
– Support involvement in sports along with other pro social activities
Teenagers can decrease stress with the following behaviors and techniques :-
Exercise and eat regularly. Get sufficient sleep and have a very good sleep routine. Avoid excess caffeine which may increase emotions of nervousness and agitation.
Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Learn relaxation exercises. Develop assertiveness training skills. For instance, state emotions in polite, business, and not too aggressive or passive ways: – Rehearse and practice situations that cause stress. One example is taking a language class if talking in front of a class makes you anxious. Learn practical coping skills. For instance, break a large task into smaller, more achievable tasks.
Decrease negative self talk :- challenge pessimistic ideas – with alternative, neutral, or positive thoughts. Activities like listening to music, talking with a buddy, drawing, writing, or spending some time with a pet can reduce pressure. Build a network of buddies who help you deal in a positive way. By utilizing these along with other techniques, teenagers can start to manage stress.