Navigating Teenage Anxiety

Below are 10 Ideas To Help Teens Navigate & Cope With Anxiety, and will hopefully give you some ways to offer relief. There are practical things you can do and strategies to employ as you seek to help our teenagers deal with whatever anxiety they are feeling. The issues our teenagers are facing aren’t likely going away, but they can develop skills to navigate and cope with their emotions, and they can know that you, as their parent or youth leader, are with them on the journey.

• Offer Empathy – When your teenager is anxious, start by expressing empathy which lets them know they are safe and secure in your love. Consistently leading with empathy will also help your teenager see a representation of the Lord’s love for them through you. Consider Philippians 2:4 (NKJV) “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” This verse encourages us to go beyond self-interest and consider the well-being and concerns of others. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in our interactions with our youth
• Validate Their Feelings – It’s important for our teenagers to feel heard and understood. Your teen’s emotions (as all over the place as they may be) are very real to them. Tell him or her that what they’re feeling is okay. You don’t have to like or agree with their feelings to validate them feeling these feelings. In Romans 12:15 (NKJV), it encourages us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” By extension, it implies the importance of validating and acknowledging the diverse range of emotions our youth experience.
• Pray – Pray FOR and WITH your teen regularly. Show them that talking with the Lord about our anxieties and expecting Him to answer is very important. Teach him or her to know how to pray by providing simple words to ask for the Lord’s help. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV).
• Memorize Scripture – God’s Word is our source of help and healing. Find Bible verses about the Lord’s peace, love, and protection, like Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." or Psalm 36:7 (NKJV) "How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." Memorize the verses with your teenager, text them these verses as a reminder, or encourage them to write these verses in a place where they will see them often and be reminded of God’s truth and love.
• Journaling – For some teens, drawing or writing about their feelings can be therapeutic. Provide your teenager with a special journal for them to use any time they want to express their thoughts and emotions when they are anxious, worried, or fearful.
• Give Them Words – Teenagers often need help in developing a vocabulary to talk about or describe their anxiety. Talk about words they can use and what they mean, and help them use these words as they describe what they are feeling
• Physical Health – Teenage bodies can become depleted when experiencing high levels of anxiety. This is especially true when mixed with the normal fluctuation of hormones and lack of sleep that are normal during this particular stage of development. Be sure to continue or adopt a healthy diet to provide the nutrients they need. Encourage physical activity by joining them.
• Breathe – In high-anxiety situations, shallow breathing often occurs. Help your teenager learn to calm themselves by teaching them deep breathing. Have them put a hand on their chest and one on their belly to feel them fill up with air, and then exhale slowly until they are calmer.
•  Use the Senses – Engaging one of your teen’s five senses can also have a calming effect. Seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, and touching are ways to help them break out of the worry cycle by focusing on something else. Some find fidget toys very helpful. The more senses engaged, the better.
• Seek Professional Help – If your teen’s daily life is negatively affected and you are concerned that the anxiety is more than just typical adolescent experiences, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. Get a medical examination for physical symptoms and find a trusted therapist by asking your physician, family or friends, school leaders, or school social workers for recommendations. There is no shame for the teenager or the parent in asking for and seeking help. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How can parents and youth leaders effectively communicate empathy to teenagers experiencing anxiety, and why is this important in helping them cope?
2. Discuss the significance of validating teenagers' feelings, even if adults may not agree with or understand them fully. How does this validation contribute to a teenager's ability to navigate anxiety?
3. In what ways can integrating prayer into coping strategies help teenagers facing anxiety? How might this practice impact their perception of support and guidance and their relationship with Jesus Christ?
4. Why is memorizing scripture recommended as a coping mechanism for teenagers dealing with anxiety? How can parents and youth leaders encourage and facilitate this practice effectively?
5. Explore the role of professional help in managing teenage anxiety. When should parents and leaders consider seeking professional assistance, and what steps can they take to ensure teenagers receive appropriate support?