Stressed Out Teens

We all experience stress, but according to a 2011 study at the University of California Los Angeles, “teenagers experience stress as more stressful,” says researcher and psychologist Adriana Galván. The impact can be more risky decision-making, since adolescents’ prefrontal cortexes – the part of the brain that helps regulate behavior – are still developing.

In addition to thinking twice about decisions, general recommendations for teens to manage stress include: prioritize sleep, exercise daily, schedule free time, and find support.

For parents interested in helping their kids with stress, check out the upcoming lecture, The Gift of Anxiety: Turn your child’s worry into growth, on Tues., March 29, in Issaquah. Summary and registration info here.