Dealing with teen stress

With matric preliminary exams around the corner, your teenagers stress and anxiety levels are likely to be higher than usual.

Exams aside, the teenage years can be rough. Sleep deprivation, hormones and the dilemma of standing out while trying to fit in are real issues which could have serious implications for those who care for kids.

“With all these forces at work in a teen’s head and heart, it’s not surprising that, especially before exam time, they are vulnerable to feeling stressed and overwhelmed,” says Claudia Swartzberg, CEO of Top Dog Education.

Swartzberg notes that stress responses might differ among teens, but general symptoms of pre-exam stress include worrying a lot, feeling tense, getting irritable, getting stomach pains or headaches, eating more or not eating, feeling hopeless, difficulty in falling asleep and getting up in the mornings, and not enjoying activities like before.

Nicola Morgan, award-winning author for and about teenagers, and an expert on managing stress, gives advice: The main trick is to use the hour before bed to wind down, to have no screen time and no work or arguments that might raise the heart rate or stress.

Brains need food, so make sure they’re eating regularly, even when they might not be hungry. Sugary foods cause a dip in energy and affect concentration, so choose snacks such as fruit, nuts, biltong or peanut butter sandwiches or rice cakes. Encourage them to eat meals with a combination of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables.

Social media can be great for feeling part of a group, but being connected all the time stops your child from relaxing. Switching off lets one unwind, and simply “be”.

Laughter makes the brain produce feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Buy your child a joke book, find funny YouTube videos, or encourage laughter just by being silly at home.

Keep communicating with your child and regularly assess their levels of stress. See if they need anything from either you or a professional. A teen might not be able or willing to communicate how they are feeling, so watch them for signs of stress, and help where necessary.

Swartzberg also recommends that you be patient with your child, and be careful about the amount of pressure you put on them. “Reward them for their study efforts, and even plan something relaxing after exam time so that they have something to look forward to.” – Citizen reporter