UPCOMING WEBINAR: "Effective Rules & Consequences"
APRIL 30TH AT 6PM MDT

5 Anxiety Coping Mechanisms to Practice With Your Teen

5 Anxiety Coping Mechanisms to Practice With Your Teen

Anxiety is prevalent among this generation of teens, and as a parent, it’s understandable that you want to be there for your child if he or she experiences any form of anxiety. According to the Child Mind Institute, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health disorders that children and teens experience, and “Nearly one in three adolescents (31.9%) will meet criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 18.”

These numbers can seem daunting, but it’s important to note that mental health issues are becoming less taboo and more acceptable to talk about in today’s culture. The mental health stigma is being broken down and there are more resources than ever available for you to help your teen if they’re struggling. Here are five anxiety coping mechanisms to practice with your teen:

1. Breathing Exercises

Anxiety often causes a person to feel like they can’t breathe, or they can’t breathe deep enough. You can even catch yourself holding your breath when experiencing feelings of anxiety, which is why it’s so important to make a conscious effort to breathe.

The 4-7-8 breathing technique has proven helpful for individuals trying to cope with anxiety. It was created by Dr. Andrew Weil and is designed to help your body relax. First, find a spot where you can get comfortable, either sitting or lying down. Rest the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and keep it there the entire time. Healthline outlines how to practice this coping mechanism as follows: 

  • Exhale completely through your mouth
  • Close your lips and inhale through your nose while counting to four 
  • Hold your breath for seven seconds 
  • Exhale from your mouth for eight seconds 

Repeat this pattern for four full breaths and practice often! The more you practice, the more effective the breathing exercise will become.

2. Practicing Healthy Social Media

Social media is likely an important part of your teen’s life. And while there are plenty of harmful effects of social media, it’s unrealistic to make your teen completely cut it from his or her life. But it is realistic to set appropriate boundaries around social media so your teen can use it to their advantage. 

This will look different for everyone, but I would suggest sitting down with your teen and setting time limits for each social media app. Have them mute or unfollow accounts that don’t make them happy or inspire them every day. Take regular breaks when needed without feeling guilty for missing out on things. Stepping away from social media every once in a while is healthy and necessary in a world with so much commotion. 

3. Meditation 

Meditation is an amazing way to cope with anxiety and calm the mind. The great thing about meditation and breathing exercises is that you can practice them almost anywhere, anytime. 

As you’re starting to learn meditation, however, it’s always good to start out in a quiet, peaceful environment with minimal distractions. 

When meditating, make sure to breathe deeply, pay attention to your mind and your body, and choose a positive word to repeat in your mind. It’s easy to start thinking about other things while meditating, but as you practice, it will become an extremely helpful coping mechanism for anxiety.  

4. Write

Writing is also a great way to cope with anxiety. If your teen is struggling, invite them to write everything they’re thinking about down on a piece of paper or in a notebook. Writing down every worry and thought can be therapeutic and helpful when trying to clear your mind and reduce anxiety. 

Making a routine of this is also a great way to cope with ongoing anxiety. When your teen wakes up in the morning, have them set aside 15 minutes to write about anything that comes to mind. Worries, stressors, dreams, goals, ideas – have them write down every thought. This is an amazing way to start the day with a fresh mind. 

5. Challenge Your Thoughts 

Thoughts are powerful. We all know that. And because they’re so powerful, they can be difficult to change, especially when you’re dealing with anxiety. 

The last thing a person with anxiety wants to hear is, “just change your thoughts” or “think positive!” They’ve tried that already and it might work for a minute, but deep down, the anxiety has the power. Instead of trying to change the way your teen thinks, help them recognize an anxious thought when it comes. Then, help them realize the power they have to challenge that thought by recognizing it for what it is. When they understand where their anxious thoughts come from, they have the power to challenge those thoughts and turn them into something different.

87 thoughts on “5 Anxiety Coping Mechanisms to Practice With Your Teen”

  1. Wow, incredible weblog format! How lengthy have you been blogging
    for? you make running a blog look easy. The entire look of your website is excellent, as smartly
    as the content material! You can see similar here sklep

  2. Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!

    Thank you

  3. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
    Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?

  4. Hey there! I’ve been reading your site for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you
    a shout out from Lubbock Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the
    great work!

  5. Hi there to every one, because I am in fact eager of
    reading this blog’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
    It includes fastidious data.

  6. Since the admin of this web site is working, no hesitation very shortly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.

  7. Hi there are using WordPress for your blog platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and
    set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog?

    Any help would be really appreciated!

  8. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information much.

    I was looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  9. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
    and found that it’s really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels.
    I will be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  10. This is the perfect website for anybody who would like to find out
    about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with
    you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been discussed for ages.

    Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

  11. Hi there Dear, are you genuinely visiting this website regularly, if so then you will definitely obtain nice experience.

  12. Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my site thus i got here to go back the desire?.I am trying to in finding issues to enhance my web site!I suppose its good enough to make use of
    a few of your ideas!!

  13. Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also create
    comment due to this brilliant article.

  14. I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never
    found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth
    enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers
    made good content as you did, the web will be
    much more useful than ever before.

  15. Fantastic web site. Lots of helpful information here.
    I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious.

    And naturally, thanks in your effort!

  16. Every weekend i used to visit this web site, for the reason that i wish for enjoyment,
    for the reason that this this web page conations actually fastidious funny information too.

  17. Hi I am so delighted I found your web site, I really found you by
    accident, while I was searching on Google for something
    else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round exciting
    blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it
    all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the
    great jo.

  18. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any
    widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some
    time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something
    like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly
    enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  19. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
    like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit,
    but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read.
    I will definitely be back.

  20. Hey this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if
    you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice
    from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly
    appreciated!

  21. It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the future and it’s time to
    be happy. I’ve read this post and if I may just I desire to suggest you some
    interesting issues or tips. Perhaps you could write next
    articles referring to this article. I wish to
    read even more issues approximately it!

  22. Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!

    It’s the little changes that make the most significant changes.
    Thanks for sharing!

  23. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day.
    It will always be useful to read through articles from other writers
    and use a little something from other websites.

  24. Useful info. Fortunate me I discovered your website unintentionally, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened in advance!
    I bookmarked it.

  25. Hello, constantly i used to check web site posts here in the early hours in the
    daylight, for the reason that i love to learn more and more.

  26. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly
    donate to this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle
    for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.

    I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

  27. I think this is among the most significant information for
    me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general
    things, The website style is great, the articles
    is really great : D. Good job, cheers

  28. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit,
    but instead of that, this is excellent blog. An excellent
    read. I’ll definitely be back.

  29. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult
    to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual
    appeal. I must say that you’ve done a superb job with this.
    Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Internet explorer.
    Exceptional Blog!

  30. Howdy! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I
    really enjoy reading your articles. Can you
    suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics?

    Thanks!

  31. My brother suggested I may like this web site.
    He was entirely right. This submit truly made my day. You cann’t consider just how a lot time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

  32. Great blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community
    forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
    I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get advice from other
    knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.

    If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Cheers!

  33. Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine
    but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some
    overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, very good blog!

  34. Hello there I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was researching
    on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like
    to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have
    bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more,
    Please do keep up the great jo.

  35. Admiring the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you present.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read!
    I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  36. Thank you, I have recently been searching for info approximately this topic for a while and yours is the greatest
    I’ve found out till now. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?

  37. Your style is very unique in comparison to other people
    I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess
    I’ll just book mark this page.

  38. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much,
    However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I don’t
    understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it.
    Is there anyone else having the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows
    the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  39. Great post. I used to be checking continuously
    this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the final section :
    ) I care for such information a lot. I used to be looking for this certain information for a
    long time. Thanks and best of luck.

  40. Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of
    after that its up to other users that they will assist, so here it takes place.

  41. Howdy would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.

    Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price?

    Cheers, I appreciate it!

  42. I’m not sure why but this web site is loading
    very slow for me. Is anyone else having this
    issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the
    problem still exists.

  43. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog
    and I am impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the last
    part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  44. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?

    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted
    of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  45. You need to be a part of a contest for one of
    the greatest sites online. I most certainly will highly recommend this website!

  46. I like the valuable info you supply on your articles. I will bookmark your blog and test again right here regularly.
    I’m rather certain I’ll be told plenty of new stuff proper right here!

    Good luck for the next!

  47. If you are going for finest contents like me, just pay a quick visit this website every day since it presents quality contents,
    thanks

  48. Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment
    form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m
    having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

  49. Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe
    this amazing site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read
    through more, thanks for the information!

  50. Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The
    clearness on your put up is just spectacular and i can think you’re a professional in this subject.
    Well together with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed
    to stay updated with forthcoming post. Thanks 1,000,
    000 and please continue the enjoyable work.

  51. My brother recommended I might like this website.
    He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had
    spent for this information! Thanks!

  52. I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is
    written by him as no one else know such detailed about my
    difficulty. You are wonderful! Thanks!

  53. Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with afterward you
    can write otherwise it is complicated to write.

  54. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
    I am quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new
    stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  55. Hi there! This is kind of off topic but
    I need some advice from an established blog.
    Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but
    I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where
    to start. Do you have any points or suggestions?
    Thank you

  56. Appreciating the time and energy you put into your site and in depth
    information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog
    every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information.
    Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including
    your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  57. Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also create comment due to
    this good piece of writing.

  58. Your mode of explaining the whole thing in this post is actually pleasant, all be capable of easily
    understand it, Thanks a lot.

  59. Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was a leisure account it.
    Glance advanced to more delivered agreeable
    from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?

  60. I’m gone to say to my little brother, that
    he should also pay a visit this webpage on regular basis to get updated from most up-to-date
    gossip.

  61. Paragraph writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with after that you can write or else
    it is difficult to write.

  62. I’m more than happy to find this site. I wanted to thank you for your time
    for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you book marked to look at new
    stuff on your blog.

  63. Appreciating the commitment you put into your website
    and detailed information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read!
    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  64. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment.

    I do believe that you ought to publish more about this
    subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but typically folks
    don’t discuss these issues. To the next! Kind regards!!

  65. Excellent blog right here! Additionally your web site quite a bit up very fast!
    What host are you the use of? Can I get your associate hyperlink to your host?
    I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *