Stress Management Tips for Kids and Teens!

Summary

Stress is the body and mind’s response to having a lot to manage, facing an important decision or change, anticipating a major event, or experiencing something frightening. Some stress is normal and can help with motivation or alertness, but too much stress can become harmful.

Stressors vary from person to person. For kids and teens, examples include friendship problems, grades, bullying, moving, family changes, and parents arguing.

Stress may affect the body, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Possible signs include:

• Headaches, a pounding heart, trouble breathing, or tense muscles
• Difficulty concentrating or racing and negative thoughts
• Sadness, anger, or irritability
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Procrastination or withdrawing from others

Five Ways to Cope with Stress

1. Focus on what you can control. You may not be able to prevent a test, but you can study, ask your teacher questions, or find a tutor.
2. Manage your time. Reduce activities that feel overwhelming, avoid taking on too much at once, and make time to relax and enjoy people and activities you like.
3. Take care of your body. Get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and exercise or stay active.
4. Use positive self-talk. Challenge negative thoughts with encouraging reminders, such as “I can do this” or “I’ve handled this before.”
5. Talk to someone you trust. Reach out to a friend or adult. If stress feels like too much, ask a parent or guardian about speaking with a counselor.

Presenter/source: Mylemarks (no individual presenter is named).