Teenage anxiety is more common than most people think. You might look back on your teenage years and remember them as being carefree, but teens have a lot on their plates.
They have to deal with social pressures and trying to fit in, navigating friendships and relationships, maintaining academic success, changes to their bodies, and so much more, all while considering what they want to do for the rest of their lives.
Teenage anxiety can manifest itself in different ways. Your teen might not want to open up about their feelings. Or, they might start to withdraw from things they typically enjoy. What’s important is that you know how to help your teen manage anxiety in a healthy way, so they can use those strategies to maintain mental wellness now and in the future.
Be an Active Listener
Teenagers aren’t always known for their willingness to open up. While you can’t force your teen to talk about their feelings, you can encourage it. Make sure you’re always there to provide a listening ear and ask questions that could trigger a conversation.
If your teen does start to open up about their anxious feelings, practice active listening. Don’t let distractions get in the way. Make eye contact. Repeat phrases back to them and ask questions for clarification. It’s important that they truly feel heard, understood, and validated. It’s not easy for adults to talk about anxiety, let alone teenagers. The more validated they feel, the more likely it is that they’ll keep opening up to you.
Encourage Healthy Coping Techniques
As a parent, it can be difficult to see your teen struggling with anxiety and fear. You might not be able to take those negative thoughts away from them right away. But you can help equip them with the tools and techniques that put them back in control.
Encourage them to try coping techniques that reduce stress and promote relaxation. Things like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and meditation are all great tools your teen can use to calm down when anxiety feels overwhelming.
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is important for everyone from an early age. You can make sure your teenager recognizes that by being a model of self-care yourself. Prioritize things like getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying physically active.
Encourage your teen to take part in some of these practices with you. A family walk around the neighborhood in the evening can be a great way for you both to boost your well-being while giving you an opportunity to talk.
Talk About Triggers
One of the best ways to start fighting back against anxiety is to learn what’s causing it. Even if your teen doesn’t exactly know where their anxious thoughts stem from, they might be able to pinpoint certain triggers that make it worse.
Ask them to take note of the things that trigger them. They can work on either avoiding those things or working through the reasons why they’re problematic. They can also use those triggers to piece together what’s causing them to feel anxious in the first place.
Reach Out for Help
One of the best things you can do for your teen with anxiety is to set them up with a mental health professional. Teen therapy is often the best way to get to the root cause of anxiety. It will also help your teen learn how to process their feelings while offering safe, healthy, and effective strategies to manage their symptoms.
Encourage your teen to make mental health a priority in their life. Contact me today to set up an appointment for them.