Exercise may help teens keep stress in check

If you are the parent of a teenager, you've likely see them dealing with the ongoing challenges of maintaining grades, writing college applications and essays, working a first job, navigating friendships and learning about romantic relationships. While stress is normal on a teens journey to adulthood, there is a limit to what any one young person can handle. Exercise can be an effective way for your adolescent to manage their stress.

Our body is built to react with either "fight" or "flight" chemicals (endorphins) to prime you for physical activity when you experience stress. In the modern world, our stressful situations don't always require physical exertion, like our ancestors did when facing a woolly mammoth. These extra, unused stress hormones can leave you feeling anxious and more stressed. Exercise uses these chemicals, leaving your body feeling better and your mind less stressed.

I work regularly with teens to find ways to keep stress, anxiety and depression in check. In our discussions, we focus on: 

Cognitive thought management 

We look for patterns of non-helpful thinking, such as choosing to ignore the positive things that they have experienced that day and instead focusing on their negative experiences, which cause negative feelings.

Self-esteem and acceptance

I show them ways to learn how to be OK with who they are now.

Emotions

I help them learn to examine their emotions and try to pinpoint the thoughts that give rise to their feelings.

Mindfulness

We focus awareness on the present moment, accepting their feelings and thoughts.

Physical activity

We work on how to trigger positive feelings through a natural release of endorphins (feel-good chemicals).

I'm a firm believer in using physical activity to decrease stress and improve mental well-being. I use trail running and yoga as forms of moving meditation to help myself be in the present moment and increase mindfulness. I've also created a support group for teens called Running to Wellness. It incorporates group discussion, learning coping skills and training for a 5K run together. It's a great way for teens to see that they are not alone, experience the emotional lift of exercise and build self-esteem by accomplishing a goal.

As a parent, or guardian, you play an important role helping your teen learn skills to reduce and contain stress. Teens may not always seem receptive to parental efforts, but they are listening. Your efforts and expressions of support and love are key through the teen years.