Help Your Teenager Take A Break
Teens live with more pressure than they need to. Sometimes they don’t even realize it. Today there is more pressure than ever on teens between academics, extracurricular activities, sports, and social media. It is essential that adolescents learn to disconnect, relax and reestablish themselves, both for their physical and mental health. They must learn to take a break.
As parents know from their own busy and over-programmed lives, simply acknowledging that you need time to rest and de-stress is not enough.
Parents should actively encourage teens to take a break not only to help them get through this often stressful time period, but also to help them acquire tools to care for their social and emotional health throughout their lives.
A break at least once a week
Today’s teens have almost no downtime. It may seem like they’re having downtime while looking at their phone or watching Netflix, but this particular kind of relaxation doesn’t allow them the opportunity to experience silence or sit back with their own thoughts. Parents should also make sure teens have a healthy relaxation time.
Taking a break in a way that doesn’t include stimulation is key for teens to really dismiss themselves. If the only way teens learn to relax or deal with difficult times is by filling their heads with the images, thoughts, and opinions of others, they will never learn the essential skill of listening and managing their own inner voice.
Adolescence is often the time when long-term problems with anxiety and worry become more intense. The challenges of social life and increased academic pressures push children toward new experiences and responsibilities, along with the dark side of hesitancy and insecurity.
Specific learning difficulties can arise as students take on more complicated tasks or have to speak in class. Sports become more demanding and hormones can wreak havoc on appearance. Be it social, intellectual or physical, anything can serve as a source of concern.
Encourage your child to take a real break
Fortunately, there are many ways that parents can encourage their children to take a break at least once a week. Here are some of them so you can help your teen take a break.
Family hikes
Walking does a lot of good for the body and mind. It can be a kind of meditative exercise and is an opportunity to get out into nature, which is always healing. Walking side by side is also a great way for your teen to open up to you about what’s on her mind.
Practice yoga
Yoga is a perfect way to get out of the head and into the body. Having this time scheduled for the two of you can give both of you the opportunity to relax and also strengthen your emotional bond.
Meditation for good rest
Sitting quietly for a few minutes and concentrating on breathing can be one of the most efficient and rejuvenating activities a teenager can do.
If a couple of minutes of silence is too challenging at first, you can start with guided meditations downloaded to your mobile. Ideally, find a small corner in the room or home that is used for this purpose.
Weekly night without screens
Even if you can make this happen for a couple of hours, it will be an opportunity for your teen to take advantage of healthier ways to pass the time. Reading, drawing, catching up to sleep, or playing cards with the rest of the family can help you relax on a different level.
Remove technology from the bedroom at bedtime
Even the presence of technology in the bedroom can be distracting, whether it is being used or not. Teens can never really relax with the urges to check that their phone is constantly flowing.
Eliminating blue light from tech screens also leads to a better night’s sleep. Restful sleep is more than necessary for teenagers, and it is the purest way to get real rest and relaxation.
Today’s teens are dealing with constant stimulation and stress. Helping your child take real breaks is one of the best gifts you can give him.
Having the time, permission and encouragement to rest is very useful, and it is a tool that your child can carry throughout life. Being able to slow down in life is a skill that is not taught too often …
