Are you worried about your teenager’s wellbeing?
Teenage stress and burnout is negatively affecting teenagers’ physical health across the world.
Most people view emotional wellness as something that only impacts your “feelings.” Like a problem that only exists inside your mind. But that isn’t accurate. When your teenager’s mental health starts to spiral, everything else suffers too – especially their physical health.
The World Health Organization reported 1 in every 7 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 experience mental disorders. Millions of teens live with anxiety, depression and behavioural problems. And while we often think of these as emotional issues.
They’re physical problems too.
When your teenager is hurting on the inside, it shows on the outside. Their body begins to break down in very real ways. But instead of treating their root issue… We try to solve each symptom individually.
He’s always tired? Make them go to bed earlier.
They’re always sick? Get them more vitamin C.
Headaches? Advil.
The signs are there. But most parents and caregivers don’t know what to look for. If you want to know how teenage stress and burnout is harming your teen physically…
And what you can do about it.
You can learn everything below:
- Exactly how teenage stress and burnout harms the body
- Why the pressure on teens is only increasing
- How your teen’s mental health affects every aspect of their physical health
- What you can do to protect your teen from burnout
Exactly How Teenage Stress and Burnout Harms the Body
Think about what happens to your body when you are stressed.
Your heart starts beating faster. You may feel tired but unable to sleep. When we are stressed, our bodies go into survival mode. Our stress response systems kicks in to help us face danger… and keeps on going long after the danger has passed.
This is a big problem for your teenage children.
Your teen faces pressure from school, friends, family and life at home. They’re constantly worried about doing well on tests. Looking good on social media. Angering their peers. Debating what they want to do with the rest of their lives.
And it doesn’t stop. Ever.
When that stress becomes chronic, panic-causing stress hormones damage your teenager’s body. It’s important to understand that teenage burnout doesn’t just hurt them mentally and emotionally. It can cause:
- Headaches
- Stomach Ache
- Fatigue
- And more…
The effects of prolonged stress on a teen’s body can lead to serious issues like high blood pressure, poor sleep patterns and a weakened immune system. If your teenager is dealing with emotional problems, consider seeking professional help. Therapy for adolescents can help them recover mentally and physically.
Too often we treat the symptoms of teenage burnout. We don’t realize that all of these issues are connected to their emotional health.
And that’s where things start to go wrong.
Why the Pressure on Teens Is Only Increasing
Teenagers today face more pressure than past generations.
Stop and think about everything your teen is expected to handle.
They have to keep good grades in school. Manage a social media image. Go out with friends. Pick a career path. All by the time they graduate.
The expectations placed on teens are too much.
And it’s causing levels of stress never seen before. The CDC recorded that 2 in 5 high school students felt persistent sadness or hopeless emotions. That’s almost half of all teens feeling severe emotional distress.
But it’s not stopping there. Teenage stress and burnout causes very real physical problems.
- They aren’t sleeping well. Fear and loneliness keeps them up at night. Which means they often suffer from sleep deprivation.
- They aren’t eating right. Stress causes some kids to lose their appetite. Others turn to junk food. Both leave their bodies drained.
- They aren’t getting enough exercise. Burnt out teenagers seek less stimulation. Which means fewer sports. Less play time. And way too much screen time.
It becomes a cycle that teenagers feel trapped in.
How Your Teen’s Mental Health Affects Every Aspect of Their Physical Health
Here is something that needs to be crystal clear about teenage burnout…
Your teen’s mental health does NOT exist separately from their physical health.
When a teenager is struggling emotionally, everything else in their life suffers. Here’s how a negative mental health status affects a teen’s body.
Being constantly in a state of stress means the body produces more cortisol. Cortisol literally tears the body down. It weakens the immune system. Increases blood pressure and makes it hard to digest food.
That’s why teens suffering from emotional distress:
- Get sick more often
- Take longer to recover
- Have “aches and pains” with no medical cause
- Lack energy
But here’s the good news. When mental health improves, the body benefits too.
Every time a teen chooses self-care, they are helping their body as well as their mind. When you help your teen improve their mental wellbeing, they will start to:
- Sleep better
- Have more energy
- Experience fewer illnesses
- Improve in school
Improving your teenager’s mental health improves their quality of life on every level. And that’s why it’s so important to help them take care of themselves.
What You Can Do To Protect Your Teen From Burnout
So what’s the solution? How can you, as a parent or caregiver, help your teen?
For starters, you can stop making their mental health your sole responsibility. Sure, there are some things you can do to encourage your teen to be healthy. But they have to want to change themselves.
Your job is to create the opportunities.
- Have open conversations. Let your teen know that it’s okay to talk about their emotions. Make sure they know that you’re listening without judgment.
- Encourage them to sleep. Kids who practice good sleep hygiene are less likely to experience severe burnout. Help them establish a regular sleep schedule.
- Get them moving. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Doesn’t have to be sports. Take your teen for walks, or encourage them to ride their bike.
- Look for physical symptoms. Trouble sleeping? Stomach pains? Are they tired all the time? When your teen starts to show physical signs of burnout, it’s time to start a conversation.
- Encourage professional support if needed. Therapy is not something to be ashamed of. It allows your teen to learn healthy stress-relief techniques that they can use for the rest of their life.
There’s only so much you can do to prevent your teen from experiencing stress. But you can teach them how to handle it when it happens.
Wrapping Things Up
Teenage stress and burnout is a mental, emotional and physical issue.
When we fail to address your teenager’s mental and emotional problems. We are robbing them of their true health.
Physical fitness isn’t just about healthy eating and exercise. Those are just one piece of the puzzle. If your teen is depressed, anxious or experiencing emotional issues. Encourage them to seek professional help.
Their bodies will thank you.
