Everyone experiences stress. It’s our body’s way of letting us know of a condition that requires our attention, such as preparing for a job interview. Too much stress, though, isn’t a good thing. It has both short- and long-term implications for our health, and sometimes those implications can go to the extreme. That’s where proper stress management comes into play.

Stress management is a crucial part of adolescent mental health and a central aspect of mental health treatment programs. In developing skills in stress management, you can get through pressure situations. Sometimes people need help in developing these skills. Here are three ways to help your loved one with stress management.

3 Ways to Help Your Loved One with Stress Management

When someone close to you struggles with stress and anxiety, it’s human nature to want to help. But sometimes it’s hard to know the right thing to do or say. Every situation is different with stress management, so there is no single playbook. But some of the ways that you can help include:

• Show calm and loving support: People suffering from stress often appreciate someone to talk to, if only to articulate their fears. Be a good listener. Resist the temptation to judge or advise.
• Gently shape perspective: Some people always fear the worst. Once your loved one says them aloud, it’s sometimes helpful to encourage them to explore those feelings by asking, “What then?” This practice is essential for adolescent mental health.
• Stand shoulder-to-shoulder: Offer to participate in a healthy, positive activity that can alleviate stress — a hobby, exercise, or volunteer activity.
  Stress management cries out more than anything for developing a positive, non-judgmental relationship with your loved one. In that way, you have the standing to encourage your loved ones to seek mental health treatment when needed.

Stress as a Trigger for Substance Abuse

One of the most dangerous aspects of stress is the possibility that it can lead to substance abuse. When someone is experiencing extreme stress and hasn’t yet found their way to mental health treatment, they are at risk of turning to self-medication.

In some ways, it’s an act of desperation — people just want the pain to stop and look for relief in the form of drugs or alcohol. The problem is the effects of drugs or alcohol wear off. And then the person is back at the beginning, in pain. It’s the start of a cycle that can lead to problems with addiction or substance abuse.

This is one of the main reasons stress management is so important — it’s a preventive step against things escalating. Stress management is also a crucial aspect of adolescent mental health programs.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Stress is a standard part of life and often serves a useful purpose. But when stress goes to the extreme, it can turn into anxiety. There are various types of anxiety disorders that can benefit from stress management techniques. A few examples include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic attacks
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Social anxiety disorder

Each of these conditions, when identified, can respond to effective mental health treatment.

Conquer Stress at Foothills at Red Oak

Stress surrounds us. It is an unfortunate but genuine by-product of a high-paced technological society. No matter how calm we think we are, the pressures mount. Developing proper strategies for stress management is an element of survival for all. But it’s not easy for everyone. To assist in the process, we offer a range of therapeutic options, including:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Group therapy
• Experiential therapy
• Yoga therapy

The experienced team at Foothills at Red Oak can help. We work with boys between the ages of 14 to 17 through a wide range of problems, including substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, gaming addictions, and adolescent mental health disorders. Our team relies on evidence-based addiction medicine to help your young person recognize and realize their potential. Take action today. Call for an initial consultation today by contacting Foothills at Red Oak at 866.300.5275.