Help Your Teen Take a Break
Teenagers live with more pressure than they need. Sometimes they don’t even realize it themselves. There’s more pressure on teens today than ever before amid school, extracurricular activities, sports and social media. It’s essential for teens to learn to disconnect, relax and reset for both their physical and mental health. They must learn to take a break.
Parents know from their own busy and overscheduled lives that they need time to rest, and de-stressing isn’t enough.
Parents should actively encourage teens to take a break, not only to help them get through this overly stressful period, but also to help them acquire the tools they need for taking care of 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 checking their phone or watching Netflix. However, this particular type of relaxation doesn’t give them the opportunity to experience silence or sit with their own thoughts. Parents should also make sure that teens have healthy relaxation time.
Taking a break in a way that doesn’t include stimulation is key for teens to truly unwind. If the only way teens learn to relax or deal with difficult moments is by filling their heads with images, thoughts and opinions of others, they’ll never learn the essential skill of listening to and managing their own inner voice.
Adolescence is often the time when long-term issues of anxiety and worry become more intense. The challenges of social life and increased academic pressure push children toward new experiences and responsibilities, along with the dark side of hesitation and insecurity.
Specific learning difficulties may arise as students take on more complicated tasks or have to speak up in class. Sports become more demanding and hormones can wreak havoc on their appearance. Whether social, intellectual or physical, anything can become a source of concern.
Motivate your teen to take a real break
Fortunately, there are many ways parents can encourage kids to take a break at least once a week. Below, we’re going to walk you through a few ideas so you can help your teen take a break.
Family walks
Walking does a lot of good for body and mind. It can be a type of meditative exercise and is an opportunity to go out in 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 their mind.
Take a break: practice yoga
Yoga is a perfect way to get out of your head and take care of your body. Having this time scheduled for the two of you can give you both a chance to relax and also strengthen your bond.
Meditation for good rest
Sitting quietly for a few minutes and focusing on your 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 on your cell phone. Ideally, find a relaxing spot in the bedroom or in the house to use for this purpose.
Weekly screen-free night
If you can make this happen for a couple of hours, it’ll be an opportunity for your teen to take advantage of healthier ways to spend their time. Reading, drawing, catching up on sleep or playing cards with the rest of the family can help them relax on a different level.
Remove technology from their room at bedtime
The simple presence of technology in the bedroom can be a distraction, whether it’s used or not. Teens can never really relax with the urge to check their phone constantly.
Eliminating the blue light of screens also leads to a better night’s sleep. Restorative sleep is more than necessary for teens, and is the purest way to get true rest and relaxation.
Today’s teens are dealing with constant stimulation and stress. Helping your teen take real breaks is one of the best gifts you can give them.
Having the time, permission and encouragement to rest is very helpful, and is a tool your child can use throughout life. Being able to slow down in life is a skill that isn’t often taught….
