Handling Adolescent Stress
Everyone has a hard time in their teenage years to some extent. Adolescent stress is something which everyone experiences as a teenager. Many things can contribute to adolescent stress, such as the physical changes and hormonal shifts which are a natural part of puberty. Adolescents are also learning how to cope with their growing and changing bodies and emotions, even as they struggle with becoming adults and making important decisions for themselves. All of these factors can lead to adolescent stress.
All of the following situations or events are stressful for adolescents:
- parents separating
- moving to a new town or a new home
- beginning studies at a new school
- a death in the family
- conflicts with their teachers, their parents or their classmates
- starting or ending their early romantic and/or sexual relationships
- having sex for the first time
- family illness (physical or mental), alcoholism or other troubles
- financial problems in the family
- living in a dangerous neighborhood
- the physical changes to their bodies which accompany puberty
- pressure to achieve academically
- negative feelings and thoughts about themselves
Many of those would also cause stress in adults. However, adolescents often suffer even more because they have less control over their lives. They cannot choose where to live or who to live with, for example.
In fact, all teenagers are sure to be stressed from time to time. This can show in a number of ways:
- becoming irritable or having mood swings
- anxiety and worrying
- becoming withdrawn
- drug or alcohol use
- physical illness
There are some techniques which can help to reduce stress. Some of these techniques will produce almost immediate relief, while others are long terms strategies which can assist in stabilizing emotions and hormone levels.
- watch or read something that makes you laugh
- listen to relaxing music
- talk to a good friend or play with a pet
- get regular exercise
- eating healthy ? a diet which is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can help to reduce stress
- avoid stimulants and depressants (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, sugar, tobacco, alcohol and drugs), particularly when experiencing stress
- learning relaxation techniques, including deep breathing
- practicing meditation or yoga
- learn better communication skills; learn to tell people how you feel or what you want in a way which is assertive, but not threatening
- breaking down overwhelming problems or tasks into manageable pieces which can be completed one by one
- think positively rather than negatively
- don’t dwell on the possibility of negative outcomes
If you are experiencing a level of stress which is compromising your health or your quality of life, then you may find that stress management training can help. You’ll learn some valuable stress management techniques such as those listed above ? even to the point of eliminating stress as it arises!
Keep in mind that a certain degree of stress is only natural and we all experience it at times. What matters is how you deal with stress ? adolescent stress does not have to overshadow everything else in your life.