Understanding what’s going on in the mind of a teenager is a tough job. And parents have no choice but to take it on. Stress is a common occurrence among teenagers, and it can impact a teenagers’ life if parents are not vigilant. Though teenagers don’t have the same stressors as keeping a job, paying the bills, or running an entire household, they have their own unique stresses like peer pressure, bullying, academic problems, relationship issues, etc.
If parents fail to recognize the signs of teens and don’t get help on time, the teen can be at risk for mental health issues, physical health problems, and academic performance hindrances. To help parents of teens, we have prepared a list of common signs. Read on to know the top 10 signs that indicate your teen is stressed out.
- Physical Health Issues
Stress can often be indicated by physical health issues like stomachaches, headaches, and other conditions that impact your teen’s ability to have a normal day.
- Sleep Problems
Whether you are an adult or a teen, sleep deprivation is a major sign of stress. So, if your teen is having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you need to check their stress levels. Some teens also sleep too much when they are stressed. So, keeping an eye on your teen’s sleep pattern is smart.
- Reduced Academic Performance
Stress can impact a teen’s performance at school. If your teen is suddenly getting low grades at school or not attending classes as they used to, you might want to know whether stress impacts their attendance and academic performance.
- Irritability
Teenagers are moody, and we all have to deal with their moodiness. But if your teen is getting more irritable than usual and getting irritated over insignificant things too frequently, you might want to check your teen’s stress levels.
- Social Isolation
When teenagers are stressed, they often cut themselves off from the world. They don’t want to hang out with their friends, have dinner with family, and prefer to stay in their room as often as they can. It might mean that your teen is having difficulties.
- Increased Illness Incidents
Everyone knows that stress lowers your body’s immune system and makes you more prone to illness. So, if your teen is falling ill more frequently without a strong cause, then maybe it’s time you check their stress levels.
- Negative Attitude
If your teen is showing a negative attitude about everything, be it a visit from their favorite aunt or a school event, it might signify that your teen is stressed out.
- Negativity in Words
Similar to the point mentioned above, if your teen is talking negatively about every situation in life and thinks their future is doomed, it might also signify that your teen is stressed. Talking back and using rude or hurtful comments could also be indicators of negativity in words.
- Concentration Issues
When your teen is having trouble concentrating, you need to be worried. Stress often makes the mind so occupied that there is no room for anything else to learn new things or review the content in their textbooks. This concentration problem can also be a sign of stress.
- More Worrying than Usual
Teenagers who are worried often overthink things and worry about small issues. They do not take things lightly and often lack the confidence to face a problem head-on. They overthink things, worry about what can go wrong, and increase their stress levels.
When Should You Seek Professional Help for Teenage Stress Issues?
The smartest way to manage teenage stress is to talk to your teen about it and tell them some simple stress-management methods. If the suggestions fail to bring in any results and your teen’s physical, mental, or emotional health is at risk, you might need the help of a professional. Talking to a physician or a counselor might help.
Need More Advice?
If you need more advice about teenage stress and other similar issues, you might want to connect with me. My name is Michelle Mehta, a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner.
I am passionate about helping teenagers feel authentic, empowered, worthy, loved and helping them create a sense of belonging and believe that the world needs their talents. So, if you feel you’re called to have your teenager work with me, let’s set up a time to talk and connect. I look forward to Empowering Your Teenager to Shine with Confidence. To know more, click here
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