Understanding Anxiety in Teenage girls

Let's talk about a super common experience among us teens, feeling anxious. With the school pressure, social media, and figuring out who we are, it's no surprise she gets overwhelmed sometimes. Anxiety is her body's way of saying, "Hey, something's up," especially when we're facing big challenges or changes.

It is an important topic? Yes. Approximately 20% of schoolchildren experience internalizing problems such as anxiety.

Being a teen today means dealing with a lot more than just homework. Social media keeps them comparing themselves to others, and the future can seem pretty scary now and then. It's totally normal to feel anxious about these things..

Here's something you might not hear often: a little bit of anxiety isn't always a bad thing. It can make her more alert and motivated to solve problems. But when anxiety starts messing with her daily life, that's when she needs to take a step back.

Understanding that anxiety is a common part of the teen experience is the first step. It's okay for her to talk about it. By acknowledging her anxiety, she starts to take back control, proving she is stronger than her stressors.

As a parent you can learn more about the mechanism of a (teens)brain’s and how neural pathways can be rewired. It will give you insights in the behavior of your daughter and ideas how to support her better. You can also incorporate stress reduction strategies into her daily routines, such as relaxation techniques, to regulate the body’s stress hormones.

Back to the Knowledge Hub

Sourcel

National Institute of Health.

Exercise

There are several effective relaxation techniques specifically designed to help your daughter manage and reduce their anxiety levels. These methods focus on calming the mind and body, providing her with practical tools she can use to cope with anxious feelings.

Here are some of the most beneficial techniques:

less anxiety

Bottling up your feelings

This approach encourages teens to live in the moment and accept their current state without judgment. It's a way to quiet the mind and shift focus away from distressing thoughts.

Breathing Exercises

Simple techniques such as belly breathing can significantly help teens relax. By concentrating on deep, controlled breaths, they can alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Visualization

This technique involves them imagining a nice, happy situation, helping her to invoke feelings of calmness and happiness, thereby reducing anxiety.

Grouding

Grounding brings teen's attention back to the present, easing worries by focusing on their immediate senses and environment. She can use three questions to support this:

What are three things I see?
What are three things I hear?
What are three things I feel?

Yoga

Practicing yoga can be incredibly beneficial for teens, as it combines physical activity with mental focus. Poses like the Child's Pose are especially good for fostering a sense of calm.