During a recent group coaching session, a 7th grader said, “Miss, when I tell my aunt I’m stressed, she just says I don’t know what stress is.” A few others quickly agreed. That moment stuck with me, and honestly, it’s a real issue.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that everyone experiences stress, no matter their age. Youth have faced more than we sometimes realize, virtual school, academic pressure, isolation, and family financial struggles. Yet, their stress is often dismissed or minimized.
As adults, parents, guardians and mentors, we must do better. Dismissing their experiences only pushes them to internalize their emotions. The truth is that stress isn’t just for adults. It’s defined as mental tension caused by life challenges, and kids have plenty of those too.
We need to equip youth with healthy coping tools early. And we must model those same tools in our own lives, because they’re always watching.
Here are 5 practical ways to help youth manage stress:
1. Encourage Positive Self-Talk
What we say to ourselves matters. Help youth reframe negative thoughts like “I can’t do this” into “This is hard, but I’ll figure it out.” Positive self-talk builds confidence and resilience, two key tools for managing stress.
2. Teach Problem Solving
Stress often stems from feeling stuck. Teaching youth to break down problems, brainstorm solutions, and take action step-by-step empowers them. It boosts decision-making and builds a mindset that says, “I can handle this.”
3. Foster Open Communication
Create space for honest conversations. Ask open-ended questions like, “What was the best and worst part of your day?” This builds trust and shows them it’s safe to talk about what they’re feeling, without fear of being judged or dismissed.
4. Encourage Physical Activity
Movement is medicine. Whether it’s running, dancing, or a walk around the block, physical activity releases stress and improves focus. It doesn’t have to be structured, just consistent and fun.
5. Promote Relaxation Practices
Help youth discover calming routines that work for them, like journaling, listening to music, meditating, or simply sitting in nature. These habits create space for peace, reflection, and emotional regulation.
Yes, life will get more complex as they grow, but if we teach them how to manage stress now, we give them a stronger foundation to thrive later. So, listen, observe, support and lead by example.
Our youth are watching. Let’s give them something worth mirroring.
