Stress is just as common, if not more prevalent, in teens as it is in adults. The pressure of performing well in school, meeting expectations of parents, fluctuating self-esteem, family financial problems, changes in body, negative thoughts, comparing life with others, especially social networking contacts, are often identified as the stressors, causing teens to experience mental and emotional strain. According to a recent national survey in the US, more than 27 percent teens experience extreme stress during school year, while the stress level drops to 13 percent in the summer. Dealing with stress may have become second nature for you, having experienced it for quite some time, but teens may not know how to cope with stress effectively. Some kids may even start using unhealthy methods to deal with it, thus pushing themselves into a deeper pit of trouble. As parents, it’s your responsibility to teach your kids to cope with everyday stress and keep their calm in testing circumstances.

Monitor their stress level and make timely intervention

You need to be aware of the unhealthy relation between teens and stress, as it can aid you in detecting smoking and coming to the rescue of your child. There are various physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms that can help you identify the mental or emotional strain that your child may be experiencing. These include anger, anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue, change in appetite, spending too much time in front of the TV or on the computer, losing interest in hobbies, etc. Watch out for these signs of stress to notice them early, as timely detection is the key to effective intervention.

Pay attention to them and don’t burden 

It’s not uncommon for parents to downplay the problems their kids are facing. This is a big mistake, as the problem seemingly small for adults may be colossal for teens, causing them severe discomfort and emotional torment. Listen, when your kids shares their problems with you and give them the best possible advice to deal with whatever it is that they’re facing. Also remember that they may already be having a tough time at school and in their social life. Therefore, try not to add to their troubles by over-burdening them with high expectations.