As parents, it can be difficult to watch our teens struggle with stress and anxiety. It is important to recognize the impact that stress can have on our teen's mental health and well-being.
According to studies by the American Psychological Association, teens today experience levels of stress that are similar to that of adults. This can be especially true when school is not in session, but even during the school year, teens often report experiencing higher levels of stress than adults.
While it can be challenging, there are steps parents can take to help their teens manage stress.
Tips for Parent in Helping Teens Manage Stress
Below are tips that we have helped parents implement in helping their teens manage their stress levels. These tips are supported by research and shown to be effective.
1. Encourage Communication and Active Listening
Healthy communication is an important aspect of managing stress for teens. Encouraging your teen to speak with you about what is causing them stress can help them to process their feelings and work through their problems.
Being an active listener -- refraining from interrupting while giving your full attention -- shows that you care and understand what they are going through. It is also important to avoid minimizing their stress. It is possible that what is causing stress for them might be something minor to adults, but it is important for teens to feel heard and supported.
2. Encourage Healthy Habits
Healthy habits can go a long way toward helping teens manage stress. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
When we are stressed our body produces cortisol, which can lead to weight gain and fatigue. However, getting plenty of sleep and regular exercise can help to reduce cortisol levels, and a healthy diet can provide the body with the necessary nutrients to stay healthy and resilient.
3. Teach Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Teaching mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help teens focus on the present and reduce anxious thoughts. Mindfulness practices require the ability to be present in the moment, and can help teens learn to manage their thoughts and emotions more effectively.
4. Encourage Social Connections
Social connections can be especially important when it comes to managing stress. Encourage your teen to connect with friends and family members who can offer support and positive energy. This can include participating in group activities or community service projects. When teens feel like they are part of a community, they are more likely to feel supported and less stressed.
5. Consider Therapy and Other Resources
If your teen is experiencing severe anxiety or stress, it may be helpful to consider therapy or other resources. Counseling for anxiety can provide your teen with the tools they need to manage their anxiety and emotions more effectively. Working with a therapist who specializes in teen therapy and counseling for young adults can also help them to identify the sources of their stress and develop coping strategies.
6. Encourage Hobbies and Creative Outlets
Encouraging your teen to pursue hobbies and creative outlets can provide a healthy outlet for stress and emotions. Whether it is painting, writing, or playing music, hobbies and creative outlets can help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
7. Be a Positive Influence
As a parent, your behavior and actions can have a significant impact on your teen's stress levels. Model positive coping strategies, such as taking breaks, doing something fun, or practicing self-care. By demonstrating healthy ways to manage stress in your own life, you can provide a positive influence and show your teen how to do the same.
Wrapping it Up
Managing teen stress and anxiety is no easy task but there are ways parents can help their teens manage stress. Encouraging communication and active listening, teaching healthy habits, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and social connections, as well as considering therapy and other resources can provide tools for teens to manage their anxiety and emotions. Additionally, encouraging hobbies and creative outlets and being a positive influence can help reduce stress and build resilience.
Katy Teen & Family Counseling offers therapist who specialize in teen counseling and young adult therapy for and are stress and anxiety experts. They can help your teen manage their stress and anxiety levels. Remember, the most important thing is to be supportive and present for your teen, letting them know you’re there for them every step of the way.
Katy Teen & Family Counseling: 70+ Years of Combined Experience in Teen Therapy & Young Adult Counseling in Katy, TX & Houston
While stress may be increasing among teenagers and young adults, there are ways to help them learn to manage their stress so their stress isn't managing them. When stress goes unmanaged, it can turn into anxiety or depression and create larger challenges for your teen or young adult.
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, our therapists specialize in teen therapy, young adult counseling, and family therapy.
We also have our Sugar Land location. Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling is located in Sugar Land, TX. We are conveniently located off of US 90 and Dairy Ashford Road.
At our Katy, TX location, we have 70+ years of combined experience. If you are ready to meet with one of our teen counselors or young adult therapists, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling
Talk with one of our caring therapists
Begin the healing process today!
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Katy Teen & Family Counseling
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we provide a variety of therapy approaches that are supported by research and shown to be effective. Some of the teen therapy and young adult counseling we offer are:
Board Certified Neurofeedback Therapy
Peak performance (optimal academic brain performance)
Peak performance (optimal athletic brain performance)
PTSD counseling ​
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Group Therapy for Teens
Body Image
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling can be very effective. The secret ingredient to success is each person willing to look at themselves and work to do things differently, together. When a marriage counselor or couples therapist has this to work with, the success rate can be very high.
Sometimes life will throw challenges at us that create situations that put strain on our marriage or relationship. It may be due to:
Choices and actions that have been made by one partner.
Financial downturn in the economy creating financial strain.
Feeling like you're growing apart.
Feeling like you don't have as much in common as you used to.
Whatever the reason may be, marriage counseling and couples therapy can help. Couples therapy and marriage counseling has also been found to work in less time than individual therapy.
If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Katy Teen & Family Counseling.
About the Author
Jason Drake is a Licensed Clinical Worker - Supervisor (LCSW-S), Board Certified in Neurofeedback, EMDR trained, and a Certified Brain Health Professional through the Amen Clinics. He has provided therapy to teens, young adults, and families since 2003 and is the Owner & Lead Clinician at Katy Teen & Family Counseling and Katy Counseling for Men.
He specializes in leading teams of high performing therapists who also specialize in teen therapy, counseling young adults, and family counseling.
Jason is also a leader in the field of teen, young adult, and family counseling providing expert coaching and technical assistance to teen Residential Treatment Centers across the country.
Jason is also a regular contributor to various magazines and publications lending his expertise to various mental health related topics. You can check these articles out on our "Featured Articles" service page on our website.
He has also been a guest on Fox 26 Houston and on a podcast, "Grow a Group Practice" with Alison Pidgeon.
If you are ready to start teen counseling or young adult therapy call, text, or email us today!
Phone Number: 281-519-6364
