Answers at the click of a button, research done online in minutes, and lightning-fast access to all the world’s knowledge with just an internet connection – this is the world our teens inhabit. Along with all the advances in technology, the reality of our modern, interconnected world, is that it brings with it an intense amount of competition and comparison. This pressure on teens to be the best, to be the smartest kid in the classroom, or to curate a perfect life online is affecting our teens socially, academically, and emotionally.
It’s important to help your teen understand the sources and effects of these ever-increasing pressures as they continue to grow and develop. Helping them embrace healthy coping strategies can create resilience and grit that will help them overcome a myriad of social, academic, and emotional challenges.
The Sources of Pressure on Teens
If you have a teenager, chances are that they are experiencing pressure in one or more of the following ways:
- Academic expectations: increased pressure from themselves as high-achieving teens, from cultural expectations, or family expectations.
- Peer pressure to look, act, and think in socially acceptable ways
- Social media: increased pressure to cultivate perfect lives and the need to compare their weaknesses to other’s strengths.
- Juggling responsibilities, such as school, work, and family obligations
- Body image: having to look and act in a way that will increase or maintain popularity
- Romantic relationships
- Lack of time: students feel overwhelmed or underprepared while experiencing increased pressure to excel in extracurricular activities like sports, student government, religious duties, and academic clubs.
- Lack of sleep: screen time and academic workload are encroaching on a full night of sleep.
While your teen may be managing more than one of the pressures listed above, research shows that academic pressure tops the list. According to a 2019 survey, academic stress is the number one stressor for teens. This survey found that 61% of teens report experiencing pressure to get good grades. By comparison, three out of ten teens say they feel pressure to look good (29%) and to fit in socially (28%).
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How Pressure Affects Teens
We all experience stress and pressure from time to time. While a normal amount of stress in small intervals is fine, experiencing high levels of stress and pressure over extended periods of time can affect teens in the following ways:
Emotional Mental Health
Unrelenting pressure stemming from social or academic expectations can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress. Your teen may feel isolated and trapped, and without the proper help and coping strategies, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts. Lack of confidence can make teens more susceptible to peer pressure; instead of embracing challenges, your teen might expect (and sometimes plan) to fail.
Behavioral Changes And Risky Behaviors
To cope with stress and pressure, teens often engage in risky behaviors like abusing drugs or alcohol, having sex, or reckless driving. They can also be more irritable and distant, which can impact family relationships at home. Rather than giving them an edge, too much pressure to achieve can cause a teen to avoid school and become apathetic toward academics.
Physical Health Consequences
If social pressure becomes too great, your teen could also develop body issues, which could develop into a serious eating disorder. Your teen might also seem fatigued and have difficulty sleeping or suffer from an irritated stomach or headaches.
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The physical effects of chronic stress are well documented, and studies show how high levels of chronic stress impact the developing brain. Because the developing brain has more neuroplasticity, chronic stress has been shown to elicit significant changes in neural circuits that, if left untreated, can increase the risk of developing a number of psychiatric disorders in adolescence, like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
In addition, any development of a psychiatric disorder in adolescence has the potential to impact your teen’s ability to perform at their best academically and could also damage future career prospects.
Identifying Signs of Stress and Anxiety in Teens
Early detection and intervention can be the difference between a long-fought battle with a psychiatric disorder and overcoming a tough spot in life. Having an understanding and compassionate family support system can be super beneficial for a struggling teen. Do all that you can to keep open lines of communication and to reassure your child that they are loved, regardless of how they perform in school or are perceived by others.
Everyone has good days and bad days, and your teenager will be no different. However, if you notice any of the following early warning signs persist over a few weeks, it’s best to get in touch with a healthcare professional.
Pay special attention to the following behavioral, emotional, and physical signs:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Disengagement – refusal to go to school or complete work
- Anxiety or panic
- Depression
- Headaches or stomach aches
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite
How To Help Teens Manage Pressure
Stress is a normal part of life. But if you’re worried that your teen is under too much stress and it’s affecting their day-to-day life, you can help them. Start with these simple steps:
- Talk to your teen. Avoid judgmental or emotional conversations and simply listen. The goal here is to pinpoint what is causing your teenager so much stress.
- Help your teenager develop healthy coping strategies to deal with high levels of stress.
- Learn all you can about how stress affects teens–the deeper your understanding, the better your ability to coach your child while also modeling healthy coping strategies.
- Seek professional help.
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Why choose Pure Life?
Pure Life has served hundreds of families and teens/adolescents struggling with pressure, anxiety, and depression. Our unique research-based adventure therapy program uses a holistic approach that incorporates nature, mindfulness, cultural immersion, and adventure therapy in the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica.
Research shows that healthy eating, consistent exercise, good sleeping habits, mindfulness, and meditation can positively impact the treatment of depression and anxiety. All of these components are part of our adventure therapy program for teens. Students also participate in structured exercise and wellness activities, like Yoga, daily meditation, and group and individual therapy sessions.
Pure Life uses a strengths-based, proven clinical model where students quickly learn new, healthy coping strategies, behavioral and emotional regulation, leadership skills, and life skills that lead to future success and personal development.
If your teen is struggling, don’t wait. We’re here to help! Reach out to one of our staff today for a free consultation.
