Teens experience anxiety during final exams. But self-compassion and some planning can alleviate that stress.
A psychologist from Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine offers some advice. Helping teens deal with the pressure.
Start with the fundamentals, such as ensuring that the teen gets enough sleep. Eating well without skipping meals. And engaging in moderate physical activity.
According to Dr. Eric Storch, “a lot of people end up thinking they need to spend more time studying. Or don’t have time for exercise or meals.” However, this leads to a vicious cycle of not taking care of oneself, Which results in lower performance in the future. In the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor, he serves as vice chair of psychology.
He suggested that taking breaks to unwind. And relax should be included in every study schedule.
Storch’s research
Additionally, Storch advised keeping things in perspective. Failure and success are not binary choices. Those who are feeling stressed can benefit greatly from speaking with a friend or a parent.
If you don’t get a perfect score, consider whether the world will end. In a Baylor news release, Storch stated, “Maybe you didn’t do as well as you wanted to on that test, but you didn’t fail.”
Instead of putting off their studies, he advises them to devise a strategy and follow through.
“At the point when you delay, you take constantly you might have been working and ruin it by having this dark cloud hanging above you,” Storch said.
He went on to say that teachers and parents should be aware of the signs. The students are experiencing stress and anxiety. Younger adolescents may exhibit clinginess or complain of stomachaches. Sleep issues, irritability, and an increase in emotions may also be present in older adolescents.
Storch cautioned that social media can increase stress and interfere with schoolwork.
Although He suggested that a teen should see a mental health professional if they are having trouble putting down their phone or tablet or are experiencing distress if they are not using social media. Storch suggests that patients undergo exposure therapy in order to comprehend their anxieties regarding giving up social media, as well as putting the phone down to participate in enjoyable activities and observing how that goes.
Take part in tests to find out what happens if you put down your phone and don’t use social media for an hour. Is the world over? Is your social standing deteriorating? Storch said, “Let’s start challenging the degree to which you are engaging in social media.”
