Adolescence is a time when children transition into adults, when they forge their own identity separate from that of their parents. It is a time of high expectations and peer pressure, which can be a significant source of stress. Below are some things you should know about teenage stress and how best to manage it.
What Is Stress?
Having stress is a normal part of being human and in moderate levels can be a good thing. Stress is the manner in which the body deals with challenges and prepares you to face them. It is the spark which encourages you to complete tasks. Stress only becomes a problem when it is excessive and you lack the ability to deal with it. Indications that a teenager is under significant stress includes not wanting to be around friends or engage in activities that they normally enjoy.
Some teenagers may also become irritable, nervous, or may not be able to sleep properly. They may refuse to attend classes or if they do their grades are poor. They may eat lots of junk food, or may not eat much at all. Stress affects different people in different ways, but in general the behavior and or appearance of teenagers who are under lots of stress will deteriorate. Expect them to be moody, depressed or find it hard to relax. Females may notice changes in their periods, while males may suffer from fatigue or be susceptible to becoming sick.
How To Help Your Teen Deal With Stress
One of the best ways to deal with stress is through communication, if you notice that your teen is behaving differently and is showing signs of anxiety, stress or nervousness, you should talk to them to figure out what’s going on. Most important, you want to listen to what they have to say.
Once you understand what is going on, your goal as a parent should be to encourage them to work through the problem by giving advice, but resist the urge to try to solve the problem on their behalf. Teenagers are transitioning from children into young adults, and must learn how to work through their problems on their own. Some teens will be resentful if parents become too overbearing in their attempts to deal with their stress.
A few recommendations that parents can make include getting more sleep, eating healthier food and exercising. While some parents decide to get their teens on antidepressants (big mistake), a better solution is to offer to teach them how to use essential oils. These plant based oils have all the benefits of antidepressants and stress relief with none of the side effects. They provide a whole host of benefits that will make your teen healthier both physically and mentally. Some of the best oils for this include Frankincense, Lavender, Bergamot, Vetiver, Geranium and Lemon.