Teens go through a series of emotional and physical changes that can result in baffling behaviour.

In fact, a survey by the American Psychological Association in 2014 revealed that teenagers are more stressed than adults.

I know. It’s quite unbelievable to think about especially we, as adults, have a lot more obligations than they do.

However, due to the shift of their life phases where most of the FIRST experiences and encounters happen.  it is more common for them to react more often to stress as they still don’t know how to manage things on their own.

Teen stress may not be uncommon. But, it also shouldn’t be ignored. It should be dealt with before it worsens.

And, this is where a little care, patience, and effort from their parents should come in.

SO… In general, how do teens react to stress?

When a teen is encountering stress, there is what they call the two (2) automatic option of reaction this the ‘fight or flight’.

This ‘fight or flight’ reaction is triggered when a teen is stress.

How does this action trigger reaction processes?

When the ‘flight or fight’ mode is activated, your teen’s amygdala (their neurons in the brain) sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which the communication center of the brain. The hypothalamus will then send a response to their adrenal glands through their automatic nervous system, activating the sympathetic nervous system.  

Bonus Fact: It will also take 20-60 minutes before your teen will come back to its normal state if they are not triggered by anything further.

That’s why it is important for you to teach, shape, and guide your teen on how you can they manage and react to situations in general.

As parents, we cannot be always there for them even if we want to watch them all day. It will still be your teen going to school, special occasions, and more.

The best thing that we can do for them is too little by little guide them on how they can handle stressful situations.

Okay…wait.

What if your teen is one of those teens who’s not comfortable in opening up?

If that’s your case.

Keep reading to know how to identify if the teenager is stressed.

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The Signs Of Stress For Teenagers

Stress can come in different ways and situations. It can be emotional or physical.

As a matter of fact, you can easily tell that someone is stressing out over something by the way they react and behave.

And, this is what you should learn as a parent. You should know when stress is something that your teen is going through. That’s why I have listed a little checklist for the signs of stress for teenagers.

• Stressed teens may also seem agitated, anxious, aloof, and irritable.
• Stressed teens may also suffer headaches, constipations, dizziness, palpitations, and loss of appetite.
• A stressed teen may also develop a mannerism such as walking around in circles, nail biting, and constantly moving around.
• A stressed teen may also forget a lot or may act more careless.

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What Are The Things That May Stress Your Teen?

• Pressure and stress in academics
• Not knowing what is happening to their body and why they feel a certain way during puberty
• Peer pressure and the bullies
• Family problems
• Romantic relationships and strong feelings
• Poor self-esteem

How To Help Your Teen Manage Stress?

• Let them sleep. If your teen is not someone who sleeps a lot but has a new strange behaviour of sleeping through the weekends. Your teen might be stress. Let them get the sleep they need to help them forget.

 

• Bond with your teen. You don’t need to spend a lot just to bond with your teen. Ask them to jog with you and tell them you’re up for this fitness challenge. Grab a cup of coffee with them, shop with them, or have a simple movie marathon at home with their favourite foods and snacks.

 

• Prepare healthy but enjoyable meals. That’s right! Get creative. Ask them to help you prepare a meal that you saw on YouTube and create this as a new bonding routine every dinner or on a weekend. Not only will you get an extra help in the kitchen but you will also get them to eat what they prepared.

 

• Talk about it. If you have a special connection with your teen then you’re lucky enough to let and ask them to talk about it with you. Relate your past experiences. Keep it real! Tell them how badly it made you feel and the lessons you’ve learned within the process.

That’s it for now!

In case you’d like to add up something. Don’t hesitate to comment in the section below.

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