Stress. It’s one of those things we simply can’t avoid. Whether you’re a teenager trying to figure out where you fit in while balancing schoolwork and trying to please your parents or you’re a parent who is constantly worried about your kids, you could experience stress on any given day for many different reasons. Life is hard sometimes and while I don’t believe one person’s stress is any more (or less) important than anyone else’s, I do believe there are ways to cope if you have a plan. Or at least somewhat of a plan. This school year has been particularly stressful for my son, who is a junior in high school. Before I continue I’d like to make one tiny little request. If you’re a parent please try to avoid saying things like if you think your life is stressful now, just wait until you’re an adult because it really isn’t going to help. As a matter of fact it might just add to a teenager’s stress because on top of all the stress they’re feeling right now, they might then begin to worry about what lies ahead and none of us wants that for them, right? Everything is relative and right now, at this time in their lives, they are under a great deal of stress. What I try to do instead is listen to my son, I mean really listen, to his concerns and try to remember what it’s like to be a teenager and then I multiply it times ten because I’m confident my teenage years were not nearly as challenging as the ones today’s kids face.
- Homework
- Teachers asking about college.
- Parents asking about college.
- Grandparents asking about college.
- Who wants to be your friend because of the way you look.
- Who doesn’t want to be your friend because of the way you look.
- Are my grades good enough?
- Will I earn enough credits to graduate?
- What do I want to be when I grow up? (I can relate to this one because it’s a question I still ask myself from time to time.)
The list of potential stressors in a teenager’s life could go on and on and even though I have more than my share of adult stress I do the very best I can to help my son get through his as best I can. Together we’ve come up with some great ways to ease stress. Some work better than others, but that’s why it’s great to have several options.
- Listen to music. Nick tells me all the time that his music is what gets him through a lot of challenging situations. I’ve also been known to crank up the volume on my favorite music app and spend a few minutes dancing in my kitchen to relieve stress. It works, I promise. Give it a try!
- Spend time with friends. This is a good one for both of us. Nick and I can agree that after spending a couple hours with friends we always feel more relaxed and cheery.
- Exercise. I find that working out always improves my mood and eases any stress and tension I’m feeling, which is why I exercise several times a week and encourage Nick to do the same.
In some stressful situations (like waiting in the school pick-up line) we all need a little extra help and that’s why I’ve always loved the Bach RESCUE products. They offer natural stress relief, making them a wonderful homeopathic option that is safe and gentle without any harmful side effects. This is really important to me because I try to avoid medications whenever possible, for me and for my the rest of my family, when treating everything from a simple headache to stress and anxiety. What I really love is that the RESCUE products are super convenient making it easy to incorporate them into our busy lives. The RESCUE Pastilles come in a portable tin that I can carry in my purse, making it easy to pop one in my mouth when stress occurs away from home. A great example of this is when I’m driving in the car with my husband. I mean, he’s always gotten us to our destination safely, but riding with him stresses me out so I’m grateful to have my RESCUE Pastilles within arm’s reach. Just in case.
What’s your best tip to manage stress? Have you ever tried a RESCUE product? If so, you probably already know how great they are and if not, then what are you waiting for? Hurry over to their website and print the Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon, then race to your nearest CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods, or Sprouts and pick one (or two) of the many RESCUE products to try for yourself. They offer a wide variety of natural remedies, from those for stress relief to non-habit-forming sleep aids so you’re sure to find something that works for you!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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