When teenage stress levels are high, it can feel like a runaway train. However, a clinical psychologist suggests that parents can teach their teens simple, powerful skills to pump the brakes and regain control. Techniques like grounding and deep breathing are practical tools that can help adolescents manage anxiety and prevent burnout.
According to clinical psychologist Meghna Kanwat, a key strategy for supporting older students is to “encourage and teach self-regulation skills.” These are not complex therapeutic interventions but simple, actionable exercises that can be used anywhere, anytime.
Deep breathing is one of the most effective. Parents can teach their teens to take slow, deep breaths, inhaling through the nose for a count of four and exhaling through the mouth for a count of six. This simple act activates the body’s relaxation response, calming the nervous system and reducing feelings of panic.
Grounding exercises are another powerful tool. When a teen is caught in a spiral of worried thoughts, parents can guide them to ground themselves in the present moment. A common technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method: identify five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This pulls their focus away from anxiety and back to their immediate surroundings.
By teaching these skills, parents are not just providing a temporary fix; they are equipping their teens with lifelong tools for managing stress. This sense of empowerment and control is a critical defense against the feeling of helplessness that often accompanies burnout.
Grounding and Breathing: Simple Skills Parents Can Teach Teens to Combat Stress
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