Social Emotional Support at Home

Teen Years (13 to 19)

Important Information:

  • Some stress is normal especially given what is going on in the world right now. For some teenagers’ stress may present as worrying but for others it may make them more angry, frustrated, and irritable
  • One of the best ways to help teens (or children of any age) deal with stress is to keep a routine while they are at home. Routines structure our days and provide some degree of certainty in uncertain times
  • Within our daily routines, try to help your teen set small achievable goals. Having something to work towards gives them a distraction and a sense of accomplishment upon completion. Set goals that are time focused (30 minutes of gardening or helping mom/dad organize photos)
  • Most of us our dealing with a lot of uncertainty including your teens! Try to help your teen focus on what they can control rather than on what they cannot control (how I react to things).
  • Exercise can boost our mood and reduce anxiety. Encourage your teen to do some type of exercise even it is a bike ride, hike, or short walk. Exercise can be part of your daily routine. Exercising in nature is even better because being outside has been shown to improve our mood!
  • Stay informed but limit the amount of news in your household. Try having a day where you do not talk about the Coronavirus!
  • Being connected to their peers is a big part of “teenage development.” Help your teen find ways to connect with their peers whether it is through interactive video games, phone chats, skype dates, or socially distant meetups.
  • Stay connected and listen to your teen. Your teen may be dealing with lots of different emotions. Listen, empathize (not minimize), and remind them that whatever happens you will be there to help them get through it.
  • Try to focus on the positive. Make a list of three things you are grateful for each day.

Tip sheets, Strategies and Resources: 

Sleep Tip sheet for Parents

Mindfulness for Teens

Mindfulness/Mediation/ Breathing exercises are one of the best ways to reduce stress and Anxiety. Mindfulness is a super power

3 Yoga Breathing Exercises for Anxiety

How To Perform the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise | Andrew Weil, M.D.

Progressive muscle relaxation can help to relax our bodies and minds:

Grounding techniques and can help us stop worrying about the future by keeping us in the present:

Mindfulness: Youth Voices