For anxious teens, this may be the first time in their lives that they are feeling such extremely overwhelming thoughts, increased stress, and worry for their future. As they are beginning to approach adulthood, teens begin to feel an increased amount of pressure and fear of the unknown for their lives and the world around them.
The main reasons teens tend to feel anxiety are linked with performance pressures, how they are perceived by others, physical shifts, and increased hormonal imbalances. These are all factors that can cause intense feelings that may be new to your teen.
The good news is that there are a few things that you can do as a parent or caregiver to best support your teen as they go through inevitable life transitions, self-discovery, and learning about the world.
SUPPORTING YOUR ANXIOUS TEEN
- Regular Check-Ins
Checking in on your teen regularly to see how they are genuinely doing is a great way to build a solid foundational connection between you and your teen. Checking in can be as simple as asking your teen, ‘How was school today?’ or ‘What has your day been like today?’. Very simple and open-ended questions are great ways to create an open space where your teen can feel cared for and heard.Another way to regularly check in with your teen is to schedule consistent times every day or every week to spend one on one time with each other. In doing so, your bond with each other will strengthen and your teen can begin to feel like they can rely on your consistent support. It’s a great way to provide some guidance and provide an open ear to be present and listen. This can help decrease your teens feelings or thoughts of isolation.
- Create A Safe Space
Home is meant to be a safe place for you, your teen, and your family. Without feeling a sense of comfort and security, your teen could be struggling with feeling a sense of connection and relaxation after long and stressful days.Intentionally creating a cozy home and a supportive culture within your home can support your anxious teen to feel a sense of safety or closeness to your home. Ultimately, allowing them to ease their stress and decrease their overall anxiety symptoms.Providing a safe space for your teen can also look like encouraging your teen to create a haven for themselves within their room and personal space. A designed room specifically made for your teen can encourage their connection with themselves and their individuality while respectfully being integrated with the rest of your home. Ultimately, connecting them more to their family and decreasing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Ultimately, connecting them more to your family and decreasing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
- Healthy Conversations With Your Teen
Creating a safe space for your anxious teen at home to share their thoughts and feelings, and providing regular check-ins, will naturally create an authentic space for your teen. Authentic spaces provide natural environments for healthy and respectful conversations to happen. These healthy conversations are an opportunity to provide non-judgmental guidance to your teen and allow your teen to figure things out with you rather than feeling like they need to figure everything out all on their own.
EFFECTIVE ANXIETY TREATMENT FOR TEENS IN THE LA CRESCENTA-MONTROSE AREA
Are you looking for a family therapist who can best support you and your teen through anxiety? Given Guidance provides Family Therapy to families in La Crescenta, CA, and Los Angeles County.
Schedule your first session today. You and your family matter to us!