Teens are facing more stress than ever before.
Being a teenager has never been easy, but today’s teens seem more susceptible to feeling stressed out than their predecessors. Some of the stressors teens are facing include:
- The pressure to succeed in school and get into a good college
- The deep need to fit in among their peer groups
- The self and peer-induced expectation of being a perfect Instagram person
- The pressure that came from prior COVID lockdowns
- More access to media and technology
- Maintaining school, work, and extracurricular activities
And they’re expected to shoulder it all during one of the most challenging phases of development in a person’s life.
Your teen has likely faced many, if not all, of these stressors. So, how can you help? First, be sure your teen has a healthy and stable home environment, ensuring they are eating and sleeping well, and provide access to a positive peer group like a church youth group. Then, be a listening ear and a voice of reason in the chaos.
Here are 8 Things to Say to Your Stressed-Out Teen that will help bring the positive back into view.
1.“Everything is Going to Be Alright.”
This may seem like a given, but everyone needs to hear this when life is tough. Let your teen know that you’ve been through stressful times, too, and you’ve always come out on the other side, and you know they will, too. You may get an eye roll, but they’re listening!
2. “I’m Here for You.”
Sometimes, just knowing that someone is on your side and has your back does a lot to take the pressure off. Let your teen know you’re there for support and ask, “What can I do to help?” Or, if something comes to mind, offer your help or ask if you can make a suggestion. The key is to ask if you can give advice rather than just offering it.
3. “I Love You.”
Yes, they know you love them. No, they can never hear it enough. Just hearing those words during stressful times goes a long way.
4. “Take a Deep Breath.”
Have you ever had someone say this to you? It’s a reminder to stop, calm down, and take a moment to relax. When you’re calm, you make better decisions. Your teen will, too.
5. “Just Focus on the Next Thing.”
Teens are often overwhelmed by the number of things they’re juggling. Sometimes, it helps to remind them to just focus on the next thing they need to accomplish. One thing at a time.
6. “I’m Already Proud of You.”
There is so much pressure on teens to live up to the standards of family, friends, social media, church, and getting into college. It can be too much! Remind your teen that you’re already proud of them regardless of their accomplishments. It can take a lot of pressure off of them.
7. “What Can You Do to Change the Situation?”
We don’t always think to ask ourselves this question, but prompting your teen to think this way may help remove the pressure. Stress comes from feeling powerless. Thinking of a solution brings their power back into the equation.
8. “How About Some Ice Cream?”
Or lunch at your favorite place? Or a shopping trip? Invite your teen to go do something to take their mind off their current stresses. Being together with you doing something they enjoy will open the lines of communication and bring things back into perspective.
When you use these 8 things to say to your stressed-out teen, you accomplish many parenting victories at once—communication, encouragement, and support. Even if the response isn’t what you’d hoped, your teen will (secretly) appreciate your concern. Keep communicating, Mom and Dad! They need you.
