How To Help Your Teen Handle Stress
Supporting Adolescents: Strategies For Navigating Stressful Times
During my parenting journey, I have seen my kids manifest stress differently. My eldest one will act cranky and clingy and irritate me, while my second son will pace the room back and forth, walk fast, talk to himself, and behave a bit erratically.
When I spot these things, I immediately know they’re stressed. They are trying to cope with it and are struggling to do so.
Stress in teenagers is almost like in adults. Except your teen is less independent, less experienced in the ways of life, and more hormonal.
This is why parents play an essential role in helping teenagers face and overcome stress and challenges.
What is Stress?
The dictionary states stress as “pressure or tension exerted on a material object.” In our writing context, it can be loosely reworded as pressure or tension exerted on a human.
This pressure or tension can come from external factors such as other people and environmental events, as well as internal factors such as attitude, thinking, and self-worth.
Some Common Causes of Stress in Teens
There are many reasons why teenagers get stressed out. Below, we have listed a few of the common causes.
Personal/ Family Related Stressors
- Personal attitude and mindset.
- Conflict with family members.
- Conflict in parenting styles.
- Expectations and pressures from family.
- Family situations and challenges (separation, financial crises, death, or loss).
Social Related Stressors
- Social acceptance and standing.
- Peer pressure.
- Bullying.
- Relationship issues with friends, associates, or lovers.
- When your teen starts to mix up with toxic friends.
Physical Related Stressors
- Biological changes due to puberty.
- Lack of proper nutrition.
- Physical illness or challenges. Be it a long-term illness or disability or a short-term illness like an infection or cold.
- Body Image issues (how one looks, color, height, and other physical attributes.)
- Lack of proper sleep or rest can make one feel tired and fuzzy.
Other Common Stressors
- Schoolwork, exams, and extra-curricular activities.
- Any type of addiction issues (sex, drugs, alcohol, even social media or the internet.)
- Poor time prioritization or management. That leads to being overworked or overloaded.
- Life-changing events include moving to a new place, school, or environment.
- When children live in an unsafe neighborhood.
Potential Sources of Stress Triggers
Not all stress is caused by random events. Often, you would have good and ample time to know a situation that can escalate into a stressful situation.
As parents, it’s vital to know the potential sources of stress for your teenager so that when you see them coming, you can be well prepared.
Family-Related Issues and Discord
You will know the situation and stress your family is going through (it can be a job loss, illness, sibling, or marital issues). Your teen will be affected by these. They may or may not express it. However, you should be assertive and help your teen.
School-Related Triggers that Can Cause Academic Stress
Watch out when your teen has exams, when there are other academic pressures, when there are school projects, etc. Check on your teen during these times.
Ensure all is ok and your teen isn’t overwhelmed with work and lacks time. Usually, when kids are stressed, their academic performance takes a hit.
Social Related Stress
Communicate with your teen and watch out for any social-related stress mentioned above. Know their friends and who they’re dating.
Be vigilant when you find new relationships forming. Also, when you notice old relationships disappearing. Be on the lookout for toxic or abusive relationships.
Traumatic and Life-changing Events
Traumatic events such as the death or loss of a friend, loved one, family member, or even a pet can cause stress. It can also be events like sickness or abuse that your teen or people close to your teen have gone through.
Life-changing events can include moving to a new place, separation, or an addition to the family, as well as adjustment to a new school.
Environmental Events or Issues
A storm or tornado, a wildfire, shootings, violence in neighborhoods, natural calamities, a recession, or a pandemic can all affect your teens’ stress levels.
Watch out for changes in your environment or when you are about to face changes and prepare your teen.
Steps to Prepare and Prevent Your Teen from Getting Stressed
Now you know the potential reasons or triggers that can lead to stress in your teenager.
You can take the following steps to make sure your teenager can tide over this phase with little or no impact of stress on them.
- Be alert to the upcoming stressors.
- Forewarn your teenager.
- Talk and prepare them for it.
- Plan and strategies on how to overcome it.
- Help them to put the plan into action.
- Guide them through it.
- Encourage them and support them.
- Relate to them. Talk to your teen and keep gauging the situation while offering support.
- Praise them for their effort and be proud of their achievement.
- Recall and Reinforce this success story whenever you foresee future challenges.
Overall, one of the most important life skills to teach teenagers is to face life challenges with the right attitude. When they know this, they can successfully tide over any situation with little stress.
When you spot potential stressors, follow the steps to prepare and prevent your teen from getting stressed. You will be helping your teen to plan and prepare to face the stressors head-on.
When you proactively support and guide them through this phase. You will promote mental wellness in your child and help them overcome stress.
