Unlocking Teen Stress: What Causes It and How to Smash It?

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Your legs feel like jelly, as you walk into the exam room. The deafening tick of the clock fills your ears as you take your seat. You turn your paper over and write it with a sweaty hand that’s trembling like a helpless leaf in the strong wind.

This is the most classic example of a person being stressed. And if you’re reading this, then most likely, you’ve gone through a similar stressful experience. Stress is our body’s way of reacting to any kind of threat, whether the challenge is real or perceived. If you find yourself getting stressed often, take comfort in knowing that there are hundreds of teenagers who go through the exact same thing! You’re not alone. Feeling stressed is an inevitable experience that everyone goes through. What makes all the difference, however, is knowing how to handle your stress effectively.

So, what is it that causes us to get stressed? It depends. For some people, the thought of speaking on stage makes them queasy. For others, the thought of the upcoming parent teacher meeting makes their palms sweat.

When you see something that stresses you out, your brain perceives it as a threat. Consequently, the brain sends a signal to the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. These hormones try to prepare your body for the 'threat' that the brain has sensed, by triggering stress related responses.

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Constantly being stressed can result in various health implications. People could experience a reduction in cognition, a person may unintentionally reduce their food and water intake, and digestive functions may pause(1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The impact of stress on body function: A review

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Symptoms and Signs of Teen Stress

Watch out for these signs and symptoms, to know if your child is under stress.

• Behavioral Changes
• Irritability or moodiness
• Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities
• Increased complaints about school
• Crying more often
• Unexpected fears or anxieties
• Clinging to parents or teachers
• Altered sleep patterns (too much or too little)
• Changed eating habits (increased or decreased appetite)

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Social Interactions

• Avoiding parents or family members
• Abandoning long-time friendships for new peers
• Excessive hostility towards family members

Physical Symptoms

• Frequent stomach aches or headaches without a medical cause
• Increased complaints of physical ailments in stressful situations (e.g., before a test)

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Communication and Language

• Using words like "worried," "confused," "annoyed," or "angry" to describe feelings
• Negative self-talk (e.g., "No one likes me,""I'm stupid,""Nothing is fun")

Observing Interactions

• Acting differently in different settings (e.g., home vs. school)
• Networking with other parents and teachers to understand behavior in various environments

Parental Awareness

• Listening for signs of distress in conversations
• Understanding the context behind negative statements

By being vigilant and responsive to these signs, parents can better support their children and teens in managing stress.

Conquer Stress: Proven Tips for Staying Calm

How do you make sure you remain calm in stressful situations? Different solutions work for different people, but here are some tips to cope with stress that you might find effective.

1. Practice breathing techniques

Breathing exercises help lower the heart rate and promote relaxation throughout the body. This helps reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Rainbow breathing is a popular method and you can use this video to practice the breathing technique.

2. Practice relaxing through guided imagery

Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that involves visualizing calming scenes and experiences. This helps relax the body mentally and physically.

To practice guided imagery, sit in a quiet place, and close your eyes. Take deep breaths and imagine a peaceful scene in your head. Attempt to visualize the scene in detail – using all 5 senses. Stay focused, and completely immerse yourself in the scene.

3. Using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy technique

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves identifying negative thoughts, challenging them, and reframing them into positive thoughts. This helps a person break out of the cycle of negative thinking and enforces a positive mindset(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Mental Health Disorders in Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications and Coping Strategies

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