Simple Clues to Unlocking the Mystery of Teenage Stress Syndrome . . .
Open a newspaper, or turn on the TV, and the tragic consequences of teenage stress and anxiety become apparent. Gangs, drug abuse, suicide, depression – all can be traced back in some way to the way teens respond to stress and anxiety.
One reason that the negative symptoms of stress and anxiety seem to be magnified in teenagers is the simple fact that teens (as well as children in general) lack the stress management and coping skills of adults. Lacking the perspective that comes with having had significant life experiences, children and teens often fall into the trap of self-destructive behavior as a means of coping with their stress and anxiety.
Because peer pressure and social anxiety are such big influencers on teens, one of the most important things that you can do as a parent, teacher, or other authority figure, is to provide positive examples for your teenagers to follow. Children and teens learn by example, so it is important for you to get a handle on your own stress symptoms. If you are prone to emotional outbursts and violence, or if you turn to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes as a way of relieving stress and anxiety, teenagers will pick up on that and act accordingly.
Another thing to consider is the fact that children and teens are naturally curious. In addition to this innate curiosity, the teenage years are often accompanied by a sense of rebelliousness as they seek to “test the limits” of their unfolding transition into adulthood. This means that teens will naturally tend to get themselves into trouble and this tendency is only magnified by the symptoms of teenage stress and anxiety. One of the biggest things that you can do to protect your teen is to provide them with structured, supervised activities.
Fortunately, managing stress and anxiety isn’t all that difficult as long as a conscious effort is made. The same management techniques used by adults can be effectively used by teens to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Deep breathing exercise, relaxation tapes and cds, stress balls, yoga, exercise, and humor are all effective stress management techniques for teens.
In the end, a lot comes down to common sense. By effectively and positively managing your own stress and anxiety, by keeping the lines of communication between you and your teens open, and by structuring and supervising their activities, you will have gone a long way in protecting them from the negative consequences of teenage stress and anxiety syndrome.
