Instant Guidance for Alleviating a Stressed Adolescent Immediately

Instructions for Immediately Easing a Teenager's Stress Levels

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, teenagers are facing unique challenges as they navigate their way through social, academic, and emotional upheavals.

One of the most significant issues is socializing in person, as many teens may have struggled with isolation during the pandemic. This isolation can lead to chronic stress, which, according to health experts, can have significant physical and psychological effects. These effects include poor sleep, less exercise, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and isolation.

COVID-19 has been a significant trigger for stress in many teenagers. Alongside the pandemic, environmental factors such as social distancing, remote schooling, and social unrest have also contributed to teen stress.

Racism is another source of stress for many students. Before and during the pandemic, 36% of students overall reported experiencing racism. Asian students, Black students, and mixed race students experience racism at higher rates. Additionally, LGBTQ youth and girls report more emotional abuse by an adult in the household, compared to other teens.

The U.S. Surgeon General's 2021 Advisory Report on Youth Mental Health suggests that social media can contribute to bullying and social exclusion that causes stress in teens. This highlights the importance of fostering open and supportive conversations between parents and teenagers.

A simple conversation starter like "Best part, worst part" can be effective for this purpose. Creating a space for debriefing about the day can help detect patterns and symptoms of stress in teens.

Giving guidance but putting the teen in the driver's seat can help them develop problem-solving skills. Helping teens set up a study and time management style can help address stress caused by undeveloped executive functioning. Encouraging teens to draft emails, role-play dialogues, or develop their own list of resources can be effective in this regard.

Addressing one's own stress levels and behaviours can model health-promoting self-care for teens. Seeking therapy or support groups can be a way to address less helpful stress-reducing methods. The National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI) offers Family-to-Family support groups for mental health support.

More than one-third of high school students report mental health as a problem. This statistic underscores the need for parents and caregivers to extend attention, validation, or encouragement to help teens access their inner strength and emotional intelligence.

Another important factor to consider is the impact of economic stress on teenagers. 29% of teens report living with a parent or adult who has lost a job. This economic instability can exacerbate existing stress levels.

In conclusion, addressing teenage stress requires a multi-faceted approach that considers the psychological, social, and economic factors affecting teenagers today. By fostering open conversations, encouraging problem-solving skills, and modelling healthy coping mechanisms, parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in supporting teenagers during these challenging times.