Figuring out how to manage holiday stress can be difficult for anyone, regardless of age. But if your teen is struggling with the many expectations and to-dos of the season, there are some things you can do as a parent or guardian to ease them through.
Paradigm Treatment is a teen residential mental health center that helps young people dealing with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions. Below, we’re sharing some of our best tips for parents and caregivers as they help their teen deal with stress during the holidays (and beyond). Here’s what to know.
What Causes Teens to Stress During the Holidays?
As parents, it can be hard to empathize with the stressors teens face during the holidays, since they’re usually not the ones planning events, cooking elaborate meals, or shopping for the whole family. However, teens do face a number of unique stress triggers during the holiday season, any of which can lead to troubling mental, emotional, or even physical symptoms.
Potential holiday stress triggers for teens include:
- Spending more time with extended family members
- Exposure to potentially fraught family dynamics
- Changes in daily routine and sleep patterns
- Stress around holiday food and eating
- Academic stress caused by impending finals or report cards
- Coping with the loss of a loved one
- Financial stress and/or stress over gift giving and receiving
In many ways, the things that cause teens stress during the holidays are the things that stress adults out, too. That gives you a unique perspective for helping your teen cope, as well as an opportunity to model effective holiday stress management techniques.
Tips to Help Teens with Holiday Stress Management
You can’t erase stress for your teen, but you can take a few key steps to mitigate that stress and help them manage their feelings until things settle down.
Give Them a Say in the Schedule
Resist the urge to accept every invitation that comes in, and instead, ask your teen for input on what they’d like to participate in and what they’d like to opt out of. Obviously some things may be non-negotiable, but if your teen would rather decompress with a book than go to the neighbor’s house for hot chocolate, consider letting them sit it out.
Check In Before Social Gatherings
Talk to your teen before holiday gatherings and parties to make sure they are comfortable and have a clear idea of the plan. It’s possible your teen is feeling stressed about having to make small talk or open presents in front of others, and talking about it gives you a chance to come up with ideas for managing their uncomfortable feelings.
Let Your Teen Have Alone Time
Your teen shouldn’t be alone in their room with a smartphone all week, but they should have opportunities here and there to relax on their own. This goes double for introverts, who tend to struggle the most with constant socializing, even among those they love.
Schedule Activities with Friends
A holiday movie night, trip to the sledding hill, or get-together to look at neighborhood lights are all easy activities your teen can do with friends to have fun and relieve stress. Try to encourage your teen to schedule an activity with their friends, or take the lead and organize it among the parents if you think your child would be okay with that.
Is It a Good Idea for Teens to Start Treatment During the Holidays?
While holiday stress can be limited to just a couple weeks, it can also be indicative of a more serious issue. If you’re concerned about what you’re seeing and wondering if now is the time to seek professional help, the answer is yes.
The holidays tend to shine a light on existing mental health issues, with 64% of people with a mental health condition reporting worsening symptoms this time of year. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available for teens year-round, including individual counseling and residential treatment centers.
Don’t Let Stress Win this Holiday Season
Teaching teens how to manage holiday stress is a lesson that will serve them well for many years to come. Look out for signs of stress like irritability, restlessness, or stomach troubles, and be proactive about offering solutions. The more you show up for your teen in times of acute stress, the more they know they can come to you when things just don’t feel right. To learn more about the options available to your family, explore the Paradigm Treatment website for resources and please don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized information and support.
