Posted on : 14-12-2009 | By : admin | In : Stress Management
Teens experience stress no differently than adults. They can in fact be more susceptible to stress, owing to the fact that they’re going through a stage where everyone and everything they encounter is a new thing. Normally, a manageable amount of these encounters can result in just enough stress, which is a good thing — it lets the teen learn to cope with the different “curveballs” that life throws at them.
However, a little too much of it and the teen suffers from stress overload. This obviously is an event that should be avoided, as it can cause various negative effects on the teen’s physical, psychological, and mental development.
Perhaps the most common stressor for the average teen is school. The teen may be stressed by having too many projects at one time, or by having to go through several difficult subjects day after day. Engaging in more activities than the teen can handle can also be too stressful. Even transferring schools can prove to be a very stressful period for the teen.
The teen’s circle of friends may also cause stress overload. Many teens feel the crush of peer pressure at some point in their development, and may cause them to come into conflict with some of their friends. These can lead to further stressful stimuli, such as negative thoughts and feelings about oneself. When you hear your teen say stuff like, “When I look at myself in the mirror sideways, I look like a surfboard. No one will ever like me,” it might be a sign of crippling peer pressure.
Another reason for teen stress overload is friction within the family. When the teen’s parents have marital problems, it could give the teen a message that he/she comes from a broken household, and this can be very depressing! Many parents aren’t aware that even financial problems within the family can send the wrong signal to the teen.
Stress overload can cause a host of negative consequences on the teen. The teen might often complain of being “stressed-out,” and may suffer from chronic physical discomforts such as headaches, digestive problems, and fatigue. The teen may also suffer from loss of appetite, a decreased levels of attention, or trouble going to sleep.
More serious symptoms of stress overload would include changes in behavior. The teen may be aggressive and develop a bad temper, or be the exact opposite and slip into a deep depression. The teen may choose to withdraw from social contact and prefer to spend time on his/her own. If these psychological symptoms are allowed to worsen, the teen may resort to hanging out with bad kids and using alcohol or drugs to cope.
Fortunately, many of the stress management skills practiced by adults can also work effectively with teens. Aside from these, parents can help their troubled teen by being watchful of the teen’s actions and words. Parents can listen to what the teen is telling them, and discern whether these are signs of stress overload.
Parents can also play an active role in helping their teen avoid stress overload. Encouraging them to join pro-social activities, such as sports, workshops, and field trips, can break down shyness barriers. This can in turn enable the teen to discover hidden talents and boost their confidence in dealing with other people.
The teen can also take practical steps to take care of their health. These include eating healthfully and regularly, exercising, and getting enough sleep. To that end, too much junk food and caffeine should be avoided, since these can cause stressful hyperactivity.
More good news for teens: Studying too much can be bad for the health! It’s never a good idea to stress oneself out studying everyday. Experts suggest that at the first sign of stress overload, the teen should schedule a guilt-free day off. This will allow their mind to relax and assimilate everything it has absorbed during the past few days, and leave the teen refreshed and ready for another go at the books. The teen may also practice other relaxation techniques such as listening to music, playing sports, hanging out with good friends, and raising pets.
Teens are often as helpless as little children when left to face the world alone. They need a strong support group to cope with the stress that comes their way, and the family is always in a perfect position to offer this support. Building strong relationships within the family can be the best thing you can do for your teen, as it teaches them to manage stress successfully – as well as a host of other challenges that will come their way.
However, a little too much of it and the teen suffers from stress overload. This obviously is an event that should be avoided, as it can cause various negative effects on the teen’s physical, psychological, and mental development.
Perhaps the most common stressor for the average teen is school. The teen may be stressed by having too many projects at one time, or by having to go through several difficult subjects day after day. Engaging in more activities than the teen can handle can also be too stressful. Even transferring schools can prove to be a very stressful period for the teen.
The teen’s circle of friends may also cause stress overload. Many teens feel the crush of peer pressure at some point in their development, and may cause them to come into conflict with some of their friends. These can lead to further stressful stimuli, such as negative thoughts and feelings about oneself. When you hear your teen say stuff like, “When I look at myself in the mirror sideways, I look like a surfboard. No one will ever like me,” it might be a sign of crippling peer pressure.
Another reason for teen stress overload is friction within the family. When the teen’s parents have marital problems, it could give the teen a message that he/she comes from a broken household, and this can be very depressing! Many parents aren’t aware that even financial problems within the family can send the wrong signal to the teen.
Stress overload can cause a host of negative consequences on the teen. The teen might often complain of being “stressed-out,” and may suffer from chronic physical discomforts such as headaches, digestive problems, and fatigue. The teen may also suffer from loss of appetite, a decreased levels of attention, or trouble going to sleep.
More serious symptoms of stress overload would include changes in behavior. The teen may be aggressive and develop a bad temper, or be the exact opposite and slip into a deep depression. The teen may choose to withdraw from social contact and prefer to spend time on his/her own. If these psychological symptoms are allowed to worsen, the teen may resort to hanging out with bad kids and using alcohol or drugs to cope.
Fortunately, many of the stress management skills practiced by adults can also work effectively with teens. Aside from these, parents can help their troubled teen by being watchful of the teen’s actions and words. Parents can listen to what the teen is telling them, and discern whether these are signs of stress overload.
Parents can also play an active role in helping their teen avoid stress overload. Encouraging them to join pro-social activities, such as sports, workshops, and field trips, can break down shyness barriers. This can in turn enable the teen to discover hidden talents and boost their confidence in dealing with other people.
The teen can also take practical steps to take care of their health. These include eating healthfully and regularly, exercising, and getting enough sleep. To that end, too much junk food and caffeine should be avoided, since these can cause stressful hyperactivity.
More good news for teens: Studying too much can be bad for the health! It’s never a good idea to stress oneself out studying everyday. Experts suggest that at the first sign of stress overload, the teen should schedule a guilt-free day off. This will allow their mind to relax and assimilate everything it has absorbed during the past few days, and leave the teen refreshed and ready for another go at the books. The teen may also practice other relaxation techniques such as listening to music, playing sports, hanging out with good friends, and raising pets.
Teens are often as helpless as little children when left to face the world alone. They need a strong support group to cope with the stress that comes their way, and the family is always in a perfect position to offer this support. Building strong relationships within the family can be the best thing you can do for your teen, as it teaches them to manage stress successfully – as well as a host of other challenges that will come their way.
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