Anxiety in Teens

About 32% of adolescents have had some form of anxiety. Anxiety is when an individual experiences intense and excessive feelings of worry about everyday situations that feeling uncontrollable. As teenagers, our brains are at the point where the most changes happen. These changes can add many stress triggers into our lives. Pressures on our social and academic status can take a heavy toll on our well being, leading to stress and anxiety. When our stress starts to grow, anxiety can become even stronger and harder to manage. It can demotivate people from doing everyday tasks, bringing feelings of helplessness.

Difference Between Anxiety + Stress

It is often normal to have some stress as a teenager with the amount of pressures we face constantly. Stress is often triggered with something that you are able to identify as the problem and is usually temporary. However, when it's more normal, the worried feelings tend to slow down after a day or two. When the stressful feelings start to go stronger over weeks or months, anxiety can start to become a serious issue. Anxiety can come in ways we can't describe and it could be hard to see an obvious source of the problem. It leaves a persistent feeling of worry that can interfere with one's daily routine.

Signs of Anxiety

Symptoms of anxiety can come in many forms the main ways through emotional, behavioral, and physical signs. Some common feelings associated with anxiety irritability, nervousness, restlessness, and being on edge. Constant mood swings and self consciousness can also be elevated with anxiety. Physical indicators can consist of headaches, difficulty sleeping, heart palpitations, or trembling. Anxiety can also change your behavior in more negative ways like procrastination, avoiding social activities, decline in academic performance, and substance usage. Panic attacks or anxiety attacks can also become constant and strong. If you happen to experience these attacks, it's vital to focus on calming the mind and body. These symptoms can also be the outcome of many other factors such as hormonal changes however it's important to take note of these changes and find out if they are from anxiety or other factors.

How to Deal With Anxiety

A popular mechanism in dealing with anxiety is the 3 3 3 rule. In the moment where anxiety gets triggered, look for 3 objects, 3 sounds, then move 3 body parts. This strategy helps ground you and help you focus when anxiety can feel overwhelming. Taking your mind off the triggering moment can help to slow your body down. Other easy ways to prevent anxiety from invading daily life is by participating in calming activities like exercising, journaling, and meditation. This allows your mind to take a break, relaxing yourself. Having a regular sleep routine is also very important. Although with so many priorities, it's important to manage your time well so at the end of the day, your able to give your body the rest it needs.

Anxiety is something that is very common but it can be easy to manage with the right practices and time. By finding the healthy habits that work for you, you can finish all your tasks and goals and at the same time, have the time to prioritize self care, controlling anxiety and stress.