The transition from childhood to maturity occurs during the adolescent years, a time of tremendous growth and change. Although this stage offers much potential for personal growth and self-discovery, for many teenagers it can also be a period of intense psychological stress. Let’s examine the causes and consequences of psychological stress in teenagers and talk about coping mechanisms they can adopt during this trying time.

Causes of Psychological Stress in Teenagers

Academic Pressure: As students move through high school, there may be an excessive amount of pressure and expectations placed on them. An increase in stress levels can result from pursuing scholarships, college admissions, and excellent grades. It can be emotionally draining to worry that one won’t achieve the academic goals that one has set or that one’s parents and professors have set.

Body Image and Self-Esteem: Teenagers frequently struggle with concerns about body image and self-esteem, which are impacted by social ideals of desirability and beauty. Negative self-perception can lead to tension, worry, and, in certain situations, the development of eating disorders.

Family Dynamics: Stress in teenagers can also be influenced by shifts in family dynamics. Teenagers may argue with their parents who are undergoing a divorce or separation, which can make them feel uneasy and unprotected. High parental expectations may also increase pressure on them to perform well in school or extracurricular activities.

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Teachers are some of those most important members of our society. A teacher’s life is hectic, from being the earliest birds awake every morning to being the last to sleep at night, they’re constantly juggling work and home life.

It’s a known fact that teaching is a noble yet taxing vocation, and is rightly given the respect it deserves by today’s society. Teachers are an important part of the workforce, and there’s no denying the physical and mental demands of this profession, which often puts them at risk of serious health complications.

Due to their fast-paced schedule, teachers hardly have any time to think about themselves, much less sort through the sometimes-conflicting claims about the nutritional value of various meals in order to ‘eat healthy’. Especially since snacking on convenience foods is a much simpler option (no matter what most packaging claims say).

I’m sure each one of us can admit that at least once in our lives we’ve all been mean to one of our teachers. From sticking nasty gum to their chairs to purposely disturbing them during their lectures, to reducing them to tears with our atrocious behaviour, we’ve left no stone unturned to make their lives miserable.
But despite all the odds, these loving souls put their best foot forward (something we didn’t quite value back then) to educate, enlighten and train us for every hurdle that life would throw at us, both big and small.

The most frequently-reported health complaints among teachers are lower back pain, tiredness, leg pain, voice disorder, headache, neck pain, anxiety, shoulder pain, varicose veins of lower limbs and sleep problems.

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“Anxiety is the most silently painful experience. It makes no sense and you sit alone and suffer for an unknown reason. You can’t explain it. You can’t stop it. It is horrible.”

Probably the most commonly-used word today is ‘stress’ used almost daily by millions of people the world over. We find stress everywhere, whether it be within the family, business organization or any other social or economic activity. Right from the time of birth till the last breath drawn, an individual is invariably exposed to various stressful situations. Thus, it is not surprising that interest in the issue has been rising in the present century which can be rightly called the ‘Era of Anxiety and Stress’.

They frequently feel that they are about to die. It is a haunting and disturbing experience. They are not faking nor are they merely trying to get sympathy from those around. It is really bearing on them, and often also equally taxing on counsellors or those who are expected to help them.

Sensitivity is needed in the diagnosis of anxiety states, especially because of possible complications from associated physical complaints. We wisely remember that many physical conditions cause the same symptoms that are found in anxiety states. These include hyperthyroidism, cardiac disorder, disturbances of the cerebellum and the semi-circular canals, some toxic conditions and disorders, as well as many other physical illnesses. These symptoms should be attended to carefully and in many cases these persons should be referred to for professional medical evaluation. Stress rises like fine and irritating smog off our work with anxious individuals because it is difficult for them to explain what their problem is. They lay it on our desk, wrapped in vagueness, challenging us to understand it. The better part of wisdom tells us that knowing what to avoid is as important as knowing how to proceed sensibly. Sometimes well-meaning friends complicate the difficulties of people suffering from extreme anxiety by blandly and blindly urging them to overcome it with a muscular old-fashioned determination. When people are already experiencing something closer to panic, such advice can tear their adjustment apart. They may then try to escape and, in fact, it is under just such pressure that some people leave counselling altogether. Counsellors who respect the unconscious variables in play here never push people too hard about their conscious behaviours or decision. Harried persons need less advice and simpler acceptance and understanding.

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Exams are around the corner and so is the stress. To handle tension it is important to first understand what stress is. Do you know that stress is absolutely healthy and positive? Stress is a natural positive response that helps to complete tasks quickly and efficiently. According to psychiatrist and life coach Dr Nirmala Rao, “Stress releases adrenaline which goes to different parts of the body to bring about changes which are meant to trigger our fight or flight reaction. It is an instinctive reaction to put the body on alert in perceived danger situations for self-protection. Today the perceived danger has increased manifold not for preservation of the body, but for self-esteem, over-work, deadlines, traffic, increased materialism, etc. All these cause increase in the adrenalin levels which spikes up the blood pressure, heart rate and sugar levels. These changes are not utilized by the body and remain in circulation causing tension and stress.”

Stress during exams is therefore nature’s way of preparing you to face the challenge ahead. This is a healthy form of stress. You must know when stress ceases to be natural and when it becomes dangerous. Controlling and managing stress is extremely important. How can you manage stress and tension during exams?

Be prepared

It is said the secret of success is being prepared. That is almost 90 per cent of the job. Most stress occurs when you are not prepared for the job. You worry about how you will finish studying the subjects and this gives you tremendous tension. Studying on a regular basis and finishing your portion in advance will give little scope for worry and anxiety. When you are not prepared and anxious your confidence levels will be low. You can build your confidence by reading your subjects over and over again till they are no longer a source of tension and worry.

Get dressed

Do not study in your bedtime clothes. As soon as you wake up, get dressed. Even if you wear casual clothes it will do the trick. This will make you feel brighter and better equipped to work and study during the day.

Eat healthy

Have you noticed that during exams you tend to eat more? You feel eating helps to relieve stress. But there is a flip side to it. You need to eat good, healthy, nutritious food especially during exams. The food you eat will provide you with the necessary energy to study well and appear for your exams. Eating oily and unhealthy food will make you feel lethargic. Eat a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins to get the necessary energy your body needs. Do not skip meals. You need good energy levels to concentrate and focus better on your studies and exams.

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It’s festival time. Christmas is around the corner, followed by the New Year. There is gaiety and glee all around; it’s the time to celebrate with family and friends. But the festive season has begun to be identified with food, fiesta and shopping. And our teens surely shall have a long list of things they would so very much like to have!

And we would like the very best for them. Each child is so very special to his or her parent. We want them to have everything — the best food, the latest fashions, the most sought-after gadgets… all the fun and all that they dream of. We want their dreams to come true. We want the smiles on their faces to never fade, right?

• Do you agree with the above?
• Are you a parent who is working too hard to give a bright future to your kid?
• Do you carefully take out time and save money so that he/she can learn piano and karate and tennis and swimming?
• Does your teen have plenty of clothes and gadgets? And you still want him/her to have the newest and the best ones in the future, too?

Our kids indeed deserve nothing but the ‘best’. However, what is really the best for them? On so many occasions, there are very difficult choices to make. What is really good for them? What should be our take on this behaviour of theirs and on that action of theirs? Is it alright for them to demand things? Or is it not a big deal if they can have their wishes fulfilled and they keep smiling?

Should we not think and reflect about where we are going and what we are doing with our teens? You may just be the perfect parent and of course, each parent knows how to handle his or her child the best… but a little thought, a little reflection won’t hurt anyone.

• Do you find your teens a little restless? A little aggressive? Do they sometimes retreat into their shells?
• Can they sit relaxed even when there is nothing to do? If there is no gadget and no TV and no friend for a day, how would that day of theirs be?
• Are they able to effortlessly and casually accept anyone (a relative or a family friend they may not have seen earlier) almost immediately? Or do they shy away enormously? Or perhaps, behave differently in order to attract attention?
• Do they sometimes throw a fit if they do not get their way? Do they feel a little envious and sometimes a little insecure too?
• Does it ever hurt you that despite all your efforts and attempts, your child is still dissatisfied?

Well, if one looks at it philosophically, then there is no one really who is perfect. Our behaviours too have a lot to be desired. However, what hurts is that we spend a lifetime, or at least a major part of it, tending to our kids as one would do, as tender and dainty flowers. And then, if there is no fragrance or bright colours but dissatisfaction or despair, it indeed hurts. It is not about whether we feel happy or contented or not as parents. It is important whether they feel relaxed and at ease and secure after all that you do. Theirs is the life which is yet to bloom.

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