• Suggest journaling – keep a regular diary
• Teach meditation techniques
• Help him “take a break” from his stress
• Talk with her about her feelings and concerns in a non-judgmental way
• Help your child think positively
• Share 60 ways to relax
• Help him develop a low-stress lifestyle

Do not hesitate to seek counseling from a qualified professional, especially if the symptoms are prolonged or numerous.

Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress everyday and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. Some sources of stress for teens might include:

• school demands and frustrations
• negative thoughts and feelings about themselves
• changes in their bodies
• problems with friends
• unsafe living environment/neighborhood
• separation or divorce of parents
• chronic illness or severe problems in the family
• death of a loved one
• moving or changing schools
• taking on too many activities or having too high expectations
• Family financial problems.

Some teens become overloaded with stress. When it happens, inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as illicit drug use.

When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This “fight, flight, or freeze” response includes, faster heartbeat and breathing rate, increased blood to muscles of arms and legs, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.

The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. As soon as we decide that, a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This “relaxation response” includes decreased heart and breathing rate and a sense of well being. Teens that develop a “relaxation response” and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.