COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS

It can be tough being a teen. There’s so much pressure to fit in and act a certain way, and it seems like everyone has something they’re dealing with. For some teens, it can feel like there’s no way out. In recent years, the pandemic has made things even more difficult and stressful for teens. But there are ways to cope with the stresses of teenage life. If they can learn coping skills for teens, these kids will be in a good place to handle whatever challenges life throws their way. These skills can set them up to be effective problem solvers as they move into adulthood.

WHAT ARE COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS?

Coping skills for teens are different ways to deal with the stress and anxiety that come with being a teenager. Everyone experiences these emotions, but some people have a more difficult time than others in finding ways to cope. This can be for many reasons, including experiencing trauma or having a mental illness.

There are lots of different coping skills for teens that can be used in different situations. Some coping skills for teens can be used in the moment to deal with a stressful situation, while others might take more time to learn and practice.

WHY DO TEENS NEED COPING SKILLS?

Teens need coping skills because stress and anxiety are a normal part of being a teenager. Coping skills help teens to deal with these emotions in a healthy way, instead of using unhealthy coping mechanisms such as self-harm, substance abuse, or eating disorders. Teenagers can easily fall into constantly using negative self-talk instead of positive self-talk if they don’t have effective coping skills.

Coping skills for teens can also be helpful in dealing with day-to-day stressors such as homework, friendships, and family conflict. Learning how to cope with stress in a healthy way can help teens cultivate good mental health and reduce the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder or other mental health issues.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF STRESS IN TEENAGERS?

There are many different causes of stress in teenagers due to what they face in everyday life. There is certainly no shortage of stimuli and things going on in the lives of teenagers!

Academic Pressure

The pressure to succeed in school can be overwhelming for some teens. The fear of not getting into a good college or not getting good grades can lead to a lot of stress. We sometimes forget how rigorous school demands can be, especially for young people who have high expectations of themselves.

Social Media

Social media can be a great way to connect with friends, but it can also be a source of stress, and cause feelings of anxiety. The pressure to have the perfect life, perfect body, and perfect friends can be overwhelming.

Family Conflict

It’s normal to have disagreements with family members, but when these disagreements become frequent or aggressive, they can lead to stress. Furthermore, the divorce of parents or the death of a family member can be especially trying.

Relationship Problems

Whether it’s with a friend, family member, or boyfriend/girlfriend, relationship problems can be a source of stress for teenagers.

The Future

For some teens, the thought of what the future holds can be very stressful. Will they be able to get into the college they want? What kind of job will they have? Will they be able to support themselves financially?

SIGNS THAT TEENS ARE STRESSED

There are many different signs that teens exhibit when stress is triggering them. Paying attention and for these signs puts teachers in a better place of awareness in order to be able to help the teens under their care.

Physical Signs

Headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue are all common physical signs of stress. Teens may also experience skin breakouts or changes in their eating and sleeping habits.

Emotional Signs

When teens are stressed, they may feel irritable, anxious, or depressed. They may have difficulty concentrating or may start self-harming. They may seem to be having mainly negative thoughts.

Behavioral Signs

Teens who are stressed may withdraw from friends and family, stop participating in activities they enjoy, or start using illegal drugs or alcohol. They may have trouble with anger management.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS?

There are many different coping strategies for teens to help them overcome stress and anxiety. Some coping skills may work better than others depending on the student and what stressors are the most prevalent in their lives. Some common skills teenagers use to cope with stress are exercise, deep breathing, journaling, meditation, talking to peers, and relying on friends and families.

PHYSICAL COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS

Adults and teens alike can help shake the stress away by getting out and moving. This alone may not be enough to reduce stress, but physical coping skills can be especially useful when combined with other types of coping skills.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and promote healthy coping. It gets the heart rate up, and releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Examples of exercise coping skills are going for a bike ride, run, or swim.

Movement Activities

Movement activities are another great way to cope with stress. They can be used in the moment to help calm down and focus. Some examples where movement is used as coping skills would be martial arts, gymnastics, or dance activities.

MINDFULNESS COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS

Mindfulness coping skills involve being present in the moment and focusing on your breath. This can help to calm the mind and body and reduce stress. Here are some great relaxation exercises and mindfulness coping skills for teens to try.

Deep Breathing

Abdominal breathing can help to calm the body and mind in the moment. It can be done anywhere, at any time. Deep breathing can help teens develop a good sleep routine as well.

Meditation

Meditation can help to calm the mind and body. There are many different ways to meditate, so find one that works best for you.

Yoga

Yoga combines physical activity with deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques. It can be a great way to reduce stress and promote healthy coping in a positive way.

SELF-REFLECTION COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS

Being able to self-reflect is an extremely helpful and mature skill. Teens who are able to learn self-reflection have the ability to be more thoughtful about their own lives and the lives of others. They learn to express their emotions in a healthy way. This allows them to see stressors as one part of their life, but keep their focus on the more positive and bigger parts of their lives. Here are some positive strategies that utilize self-reflection.

Journaling

Writing down thoughts and feelings can help to process them in a healthy way. Journaling can also be a helpful way to track moods over time.

Art

Expressing oneself through art can be a great way to cope with stress. It can be used to understand and express emotions that are difficult to put into words.

Music

Listening to or playing music can be a great way to reduce stress. Music can also be a fun form of self-expression.

SOCIAL COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS

Sometimes being with others and talking with others is the only way for teens to cope with their stress. This is why the pandemic quarantines were so trying for so many teens! Finding a support network is crucial for teens (or anyone) to be able to cope with challenges.

Spending Time With Friends and Family

Connecting with loved ones can help reduce stress and promote positive emotions. Sometimes just being around friends and family can be helpful, and sometimes teenagers need to talk out their problems with them.

Peer Support Groups

Talking to others who are going through similar experiences can be helpful. These groups can provide support and understanding in a safe environment.

Joining A Team, Club, or Social Activity

Participating in teams, clubs, or activities can help reduce stress. It can also provide a sense of belonging and community and expand their network of friends.

WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND COPING SKILLS FOR TEENS THAT WORK?

If you work with teens who have tried some of the common coping skills and haven’t found one that works for them, don’t worry. There are many other options out there, and it might take some trial and error to find the ones that work best for each individual. Teens can also talk to a therapist or counselor who can help them find coping skills that work. Coping skills are different for everyone, so help teens find the ones that work best for them and that they can easily integrate into their lives.