How to Keep a Teenager From Getting Overwhelmed

It's not easy being a teenager. The average teen faces daily stress and pressure stemming from a number of areas, including schoolwork, relationships, family issues and their own internal self-talk, says Focus Adolescent Services. Too much stress and too little time to relax and unwind can cause teens to feel overwhelmed. When stress piles up, teens might experience feelings of anxiety, anger, withdrawal or other troublesome emotions. While you can't always affect external forces, you may be able to keep your teen from getting overwhelmed and help her feel calmer and more in control of her life.

Instructions

    • 1

      Encourage your teen to participate in regular physical activity. Exercise is a beneficial way to reduce stress, promote mental clarity and improve energy, says the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Exercise also provides your teen with an outlet for pent-up emotions like frustration and anger.

    • 2

      Help your teen set realistic goals. Breaking down goals into manageable chunks is one way to prevent teens from feeling overloaded, advises the Lifespan Health System of Rhode Island. If your teen has too many unattainable goals or has set the bar too high, he might feel overwhelmed by feelings of little or no control.

    • 3

      Talk to your teen on a daily basis. Inquire about her day, find out what's going on in her life and ask if there's anything she needs to talk about. Avoid giving advice or jumping to conclusions, advises Focus Adolescent Services. Be willing to listen to her feelings and provide a safe, open forum where she can vent, if needed.

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      Collaborate with your teen to devise a daily schedule. Write down all his responsibilities. Break down his day into chunks of time, including time for school, homework, extracurricular activities, family, socialization, fun and sleep. Prioritize the most important tasks. Establishing a schedule can help your teen feel more in control of his life, less overwhelmed and more organized.

    • 5

      Share an enjoyable activity, such as going for a drive or shopping. Sometimes, a distraction from a teen's daily chores and responsibilities can help recharge her batteries and promote a healthier perspective.

    • 6

      Role-model effective coping skills, suggests Aaron T. Ebata, an applied human development specialist with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension. Share some of the ways you handle challenging situations or difficult emotions.

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