Teenage Stress
Some teens may be overloaded with stress. If the stress goes unchecked it can lead to very real problems with anxiety, aggression, withdrawal, physical illness, or alcohol or drug abuse. Teenagers can face stressful situations every day. Teens see many situations as potentially harmful, dangerous, or painful.
Many teens do not know how to cope with events that may bombard them each day. If a teen becomes overloaded with stress it can lead to potentially dangerous situations. They may start to withdraw, act out, be aggressive, or turn to drugs or alcohol use to cope with the stress.
Some of the causes for stress can include school demands and the frustrations that go with the average school day. Stress may be compounded by the expectations of getting into a great college, being on the honor roll, or living up to an older sibling’s reputation and school record.
Teenagers are also going through physical and hormonal changes. They may develop negative feelings about themselves and their bodies. Problems at home may intensify the feelings of stress. Divorce and blended families are stresses that many teenagers face today. They may also face added stress if someone in the family is seriously ill or there is a death in the family.
In our mobile society, many teenagers face stress from moving and changing schools. They may not be able to cope with trying to make new friends, adjust to a new school schedule, and the normal stress of school assignments. Many students may face high expectations or subtle nudges to excel either scholastically or in sports. They may take on too many activities such as work, school, and sports and feel stress because of trying to cope with too many activities.
Some teens may face extra stress if they live in a neighborhood that is unsafe. Maybe it is the home that is not considered safe. Family violence can cause emotional stress even if the violence is not directed at the teen. Family financial problems also affect teenagers, especially if they feel obligated to work and contribute to the family income.
Teenagers need to learn coping mechanisms to deal with stress. If you are a parent of or close to a teenager you should watch for signs that stress is affecting their health. Listen to what your teenager is saying and watch for any signs they are being overwhelmed by stress. Help them to learn stress management skills and be a role model for them by handling your own stress. Support them in social areas and in their sports activities.
Teens can reduce stress in their life by eating and exercising regularly. Avoid drinking too much caffeine, illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Learn relaxation methods such as deep breathing techniques and muscle relaxation. Learn to say no to your peers. If you have something looming that looks impossible to finish, break it down into smaller parts and the job will be easier to finish. Learning coping skills can decrease stress for teenagers.
Parents can help their teen in several ways to cope with stress. If they notice that stress is affecting them emotionally or physically, sit down with them and see if they will talk about their feelings and thoughts. Listen carefully to them without being judgmental. Allow them the freedom to express those emotions they are holding inside. Learn stress management skill of your own so you can adequately help your teen manage their stress. Be an example of an adult that is able to manage stress.
Negative talking to them must stop. Help your teen turn negative self-talk into positive thoughts. Building a network of friends can help teenagers cope with everyday stress. Taking a break and listening to music, writing in a journal, or spending time with a pet will all help reduce stress levels.
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