How To Help Adolescents Manage Anxiety
The adolescent years are filled with changes, and this can lead to major increases in
anxiety. As a parent, your job is to help your kids learn to manage that anxiety in creative
and healthy ways. This guide presented by Culture Shock Las Vegas has a few helpful ideas
to get you started.
Help Kids Understand Anxiety
Sometimes young people can be anxious without recognizing it. They might seem extra-
irritable when they're really terribly frightened and don't know how to handle it. You must
help your kids understand and label their anxiety. Teach them about the common signs of
anxiety, and talk to them about the situations that trigger those symptoms in them. Explain
why it is important to develop strategies to cope with anxiety because it is going to be part of
their lives, and work to build their confidence through emotional support, coaching, and
involvement in their activities.
Give Kids Options for Coping
You must also give your kids plenty of options for coping with their anxiety. Some of these
may be immediate activities they can turn to when anxiety strikes. You might, for instance,
suggest they listen to their favorite music and even get up and dance. Hip-hop dance, in
fact, can be a terrific anxiety reducer, for it gets kids' bodies moving, focuses their attention
on music and motion, and allows them to express themselves creatively. Culture Shock Las
Vegas has many classes that can help kids get started.
You can also introduce kids to various breathing techniques, get them started on arts-and-
crafts projects, and encourage them to write journals. Don't neglect the merits of healthy
eating habits, exercise routines, time outdoors, and plenty of opportunities for fun with
family and friends. Be careful about how much pressure you're putting on your kids to
succeed in school and all their activities, too. Encourage them to do their best, but don't
push too hard.
Seek Help as Needed
If your child's anxiety is severe and you're out of ideas to manage it, you may have to seek
help. Talk to your child's doctor or a counselor at your child's school for a recommendation.
A psychologist might be able to get to the root of the problem and offer more techniques for
coping. Don't think you're failing as a parent if you need to reach out for more help.
Actually, you're doing what's best for your kids so that they can grow into healthy, well-
balanced people who have the tools they need to do well in life.
Model Anxiety Management
Finally, one of the best ways you can help your kids manage their anxiety is to model your
own anxiety management techniques. Let them see how you handle stress and anxiety, and
talk to them about your favorite techniques. You might find your own anxiety levels
dropping.
As you model anxiety management for your kids, you might discover the need to make
some changes in your life. If your current job in San Diego, is extremely stressful, for
instance, perhaps it's time to move on. Face your own fears about starting a new career —
which can be an empowering process — and show your kids how to create new, more
positive experiences.
Conquer That Anxiety
While it's challenging to help your kids conquer their anxiety, it's certainly necessary. It’s
best to get started as soon as possible so they can develop skills they can carry with them
through adulthood.
By: Joyce Wilson