Did you know April is Stress Awareness Month? Even in today’s modern world, stress is still one of those topics that is often glazed over. That is why this month’s spotlight on bringing awareness on stress is so important.
There is no minimum or maximum age a person can be stressed. It impacts everyone from toddlers to senior citizens. However, children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of stress due to their developing brains and bodies. This is why I put together a “Stress Free Guide” for parents to know everything from how to tell if your kid is stressed to how to deal with it.
Quick Facts on Stress & Youth
Honestly, the facts alone show the need to recognize and deal with stress in today’s youth. Post-pandemic data clearly shows anxiety and stress are drastically on the rise.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Youth stress is at critical levels, with seven in 10 teens viewing it as a major problem among their peers.
- Currently, 35% of children are experiencing stress-related health issues.
- Roughly, one in five children experience significant worry.
- Meanwhile, 20% of adolescents reported anxiety symptoms
- Finally, 32% of adolescents are facing anxiety disorders.
Furthermore, American Psychology Association reports:
- The top stress factors for teens include academic pressure, social pressure to fit in and bullying.
- In regard to health impacts of stress, 44% of children experience sleeping difficulties and one in three reported headaches.
- Between 2016 and 2020, anxiety increased from 7.1% to 9.2% in youth.
- Lastly, 30% of teens reported anxiety and depression is common among their peers.
How To Tell If Your Kids Are Stressed
Age is a huge factor in how stress presents itself in children. Toddlers and preschoolers are still unable to recognize and/or communicate those “big feelings” like stress and anxiety. If your child is five or younger, here are a few stress signs:
- Increased tantrums, especially if hunger or tiredness aren’t an issue at the moments of the tantrums.
- Repeated aggressive behavior, like throwing or hitting.
- Regressed behaviors or actions, i.e. bed wetting if potty trained or wanting a pacifier.
- Emotional changes, for instance, withdrawing or increased clinginess.
- Difficulty sleeping.
Elementary aged kids tend to have a better grip on how they are feeling or, at the very least, able to communicate if they feel like something is wrong. A few signs to look for in these kids include:
- Behavioral or emotional changes.
- Digestive issues, like constant stomachaches.
- Regular nightmares.
Finally, preteens and teenagers are the most impacted age groups of youth when it comes to stress. The biggest signs of anxiety (and often depression) to look for in this age group are:
- Closing themselves off from family and/or friends.
- Decreased appetite.
- Lack of desire or enjoyment of activities they usually love or enjoy.
- Regular negative talk about themselves or life.
What To Do When Your Kids Are Stressed
The most important thing to do, no matter your child’s age, is to stay calm or at least present a calm exterior. People, including children, model or at least can sense and pick up on others’ emotions. Stress is no different. Remaining calm not only helps you deal with the situation rationally but helps them regulate their own emotions, as well.
For little ones, get down on their level. This helps them be close to you physically and really feel you are present with them.
It’s crucial to also know and discuss when you might need outside help. Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand. If you think your child or teen is experiencing either, please discuss it with your pediatrician. They are equipped to run evaluations and tests to determine if your child is experiencing either and can point you in the right direction to get the appropriate help.
Remind your child that there is no shame in feeling stressed or even for those struggling with anxiety and depression. Make sure they have someone, even if that’s not you as the parent, to talk to honestly and openly. I know your children not coming to you is hard to accept as a parent, especially as they get older, but it’s so important they have a person in their life they always feel comfortable turning to during the hard times. No matter who it is!
How To Prevent Your Kids From Becoming Stressed
While you’ll never be able to prevent all the stress and stressors your child or teen will encounter, you can help to minimize some.
Routine and structure, especially in younger kids, is great at helping to build consistency. When children know what to expect, they have a much better chance of being calm and not getting stressed out.
Make time to have regular mental health check-ins with your kids, even the little ones. They don’t even need to know that’s what you are doing. Whether it’s a family dinner night, a “date night” with your kiddo or simply on the ride home from school, engage them with questions to get a feel for how they are doing. For example, ask them what their most challenging class is and why they feel that way.
Resources
A few great online resources include:
nacg.org (Specific to stress related to grief and loss)
