This post will explore stress in teens, signs and symptoms of stress, tips for managing stress, and a few resources.
Introduction
It is no surprise, especially with COVID-19, that teenagers are experiencing high amounts of stress. A 2013 study conducted by the American Psychological Association reported that 83% of teens said school caused a significant amount of stress. A 2018 study by APA reported that teenagers also experience stress from social issues covered in the news, like gun violence. More information on those two studies can be found here: https://www.apa.org/topics/children-teens-stress. Many more crises have happened since 2018, so I would imagine stress rates have only increased.
Resources
Below is a narrated PowerPoint that covers what stress is, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, and ways to deal with it, including apps that can be downloaded on a mobile device.
As the PowerPoint mentions, it is important to understand stress and its symptoms, so students can adopt ways to combat it. One way to deal with stress is through time management. Planning your activities, homework, and sleep can be very effective in dealing with stress and all aspects of life. Below is a handout for students to plan their weekly activities.
Another tip to fight stress is by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is focusing on the here-and-now. Below is a presentation that walks students through 4 different types of mindfulness, including: breathing, movement, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and a 3 minute mindfulness activity. This presentation can also be very beneficial right before a test.
I hope you found this post useful. Please let your counselor know if you need more help with reducing stress and/or time management.
Ms. Carr: Grades 7 & 10: carr.emery@brevardschools.org
Ms. Mackin: Grades 8 & 11: mackin.carleen@brevardschools.org
Mrs. Haley: Grades 9 & 12: haley.melissa@brevardschools.org
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