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For many teens, pressure comes from all sides: their friends, school and teachers, sports, and yes-even their parents. The recent documentary Race To Nowhere explores this very issue.
We all know stress can take a toll on our teen's physical health. But stress is also associated with initiation of alcohol or drug use. In fact, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America research study showed the number one reason teens use drugs is to deal with school stress. Science shows that transitions -- moving, starting a new school, puberty -- are particularly stressful periods for kids. And they are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol at those times.
It's important for us to pay attention to our kids' stress levels and help them learn how to cope in healthy ways. Here are a few tips we found helpful from the guide Helping Teens Slow Down and Stress Less.
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Make Time to Connect
Schedule family dinners or get-togethers every week and set it in stone just like sports practice. Use the time to catch up on what's going on in your kid's life, including what's not going well. Stressed kids may feel isolated, which can lead to experimentation with drugs and alcohol. Let them know you love them too much to see them risk getting hurt by experimenting or using.
Encourage Sleep and Good Health Habits
Experts recommend that parents impose a regular bedtime. Help teens slow down by keeping light levels low and limiting computer, television and phone use after a certain hour in the evening. When morning comes, raise the light level in your home to get teens going again. Make sure your teen or tween eats right and exercises regularly. Physical well-being makes kids more resilient overall and less vulnerable to stressful situations.
Learn more ways parents can help their teen deal with stress.
Take a deep breath, fellow parents -- we can do this! |
