Teenagers and Stress

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Articles | Life Coaching | Teenagers and Stress - Building Resilience

Teenagers and Stress - Building Resilience

Jul 27, 2011 by Debra Clayton

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Is your teenager feeling like there are too many pressures and demands on them? Not sleeping well due to worry about exams, tests, assignments and schoolwork? Eating in a rush, often irregularly, and mostly eating unhealthy quick snacks which are high in fat and sugar because they are too busy? If that is the case for your teenager, know that they are not alone. This is stress and all of us experience stress at some times however for teenagers stress can turn into stress overload very quickly especially with all the hormonal changes, demands and expectations piled on them from parents, teachers and peers. Add to this the numerous forms of social media our teenagers have access to these days and this over load can quickly become dangerous.

Stress is a chain reaction called a “stress response” our body creates when we react to particular “stressors” that occur in our life. This response causes the nervous system and specific hormones to create an increase in heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and metabolism. In small doses this can be good and when all of these physical changes are working effectively they can enhance a person's ability to perform well under pressure, for a teenager this may be during an exam, a class presentation or a final in sports. However the stress response can cause much more concerning problems when it can not turn off and the effect this can have on the body is a bit like an over heated engine. For example, in reaction to things that are not immediate but ongoing or long-term events, like coping with a divorce or moving to a new school. In these instances the nervous system stays in low gear and continues to produce the extra stress hormones this can weaken the body's immune system, and cause other health issues as well as leaving the person feeling flat and overwhelmed.

This intense pressure over a long period of time can cause stress overload and too much stress isn't good for anyone! Feeling a little stress about a test that's coming up can be motivating and encourage one to study hard. But stressing out too much over the test can make it hard to concentrate on what is needed to learn. If your teenager is experiencing stress overload you may notice an increase in anxiety or panic attacks, physical complaints, such as stomach problems, headaches, or even chest pain, complaining that they are constantly pressured or hassled, and there is no time, irritability and moodiness, a flare up of any allergic reactions, such as eczema or asthma, complaining of sleep problems or sadness and or depression.

Building Resilience

What can you do to help your teenager build resilience and overcome stress overload? Teach them to:

View change as a challenge it is a normal part of life.
Believe in themselves they will succeed if they keep working toward their goals.
Be optimistic and let a small amount of stress be motivating.
Set goals that are achievable and realistic and review these goals at regular intervals.
Always take action to solve their problems and to reach their goals.
Build strong relationships with family and the right friends.
Know there is a support system and identify who/what that involves.
Always ask for help when they need it.
Participate regularly in activities for relaxation and fun.