How To Help Teens Who Are Dealing With Anxiety

We often recall our teenage years as stressful and tumultuous. However, it is safe to say that in this current world of social media, growing up in the COVID era, and navigating an ever changing climate crisis, teens are struggling more than ever with their mental health.

Teens can be susceptible to anxiety for a variety of reasons. They’re under pressure to do well in school. They want to form relationships and fit in. Many are thinking about their futures and who they want to be. On top of it all, they’re going through hormonal and bodily changes that can make things feel uncertain and strange. 

As a parent or caregiver, it’s not easy to see your teen struggle with anxiety. But, there are things you can do to help them cope, and to teach them how to manage their mental health early on. 

Don’t Ignore Their Emotions

One of the worst things you can do for a teen dealing with anxiety is try to ignore or “brush off” what they’re feeling. You might think they’re in an less stressful stage of life than yourself, but try a little empathy. Don’t remind them of how good they have it. Instead, let them know their feelings are valid and you are there to listen. 

Teenagers aren’t always quick to open up. If you let them know their feelings mean something and you’re there to help, it could give them the opening they need to start talking about what they’re going through. 

Be an Active Listener

It can be tempting to ask your teen question after question once the conversation gets going. After all, you want to get to the bottom of their fears quickly. But, that could quickly become overwhelming for them. It might cause them to close off again. 

Instead of trying to lead the conversation, be an active listener. Ask the occasional question for clarification. Repeat phrases to let them know you’re hearing what they say. Use nonverbal cues to assure them you’re paying attention. 

You’ll learn a lot from letting them talk and sitting in silence. You’ll also have more time to come up with an effective solution to help them through it. 

Teach Coping Techniques

If there’s a silver lining to anxiety, it’s that the symptoms are often very manageable with the right techniques. 

Teaching your teen how to cope with their anxious thoughts and fears can help them realize they have more control over their anxiety than they originally thought. 

Things like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises are all effective coping techniques that help to fight back against anxiety. Journaling is another great option that will allow your teen to share how they’re feeling while remaining private. 

It’s also a good rule of thumb to encourage your teen to live a healthy lifestyle. Let them know how things like getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can actually help alleviate some symptoms of anxiety. 

Most importantly, lead by example. It might not seem like your teenager is paying attention to what you do and say, but they are. Be a positive role model when it comes to anxiety management, and they’re more likely to pick up on those healthy habits. 

Talk to a Professional 

Anxiety is often a difficult thing to handle on your own, especially when you’re a teenager. As a parent, you might only be able to go so far in helping your teen on your own. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist and set up an appointment for your teen. 

Therapy is an effective way to help your teenager understand where their anxiety stems from, so they can start to fight back against it. Therapy can also help them learn more coping techniques they can carry with them into adulthood. If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us for teen counseling or anxiety treatment.