Stress-Less Holidays for Youth

The winter holidays are here! Although this is a most joyous season, it is often accompanied by stress. Mental Health America of Porter County would like to draw your attention to some signs of holiday stress that the youth around you might be exhibiting. According to the American Psychological Association the following are signs that youth may display to show that they are feeling the stressed.

• Negative changes in behavior: Youth of all ages may find it difficult to recognize and verbalize when they are experiencing stress. This can lead them to behave negatively.
• “Feeling sick” may be caused by stress: Stress can trigger physical symptoms such as frequent stomachaches or headaches that persist even after a young person has been given a clean bill of health by their physician. These complaints might increase in certain situations for example; before a holiday party or shopping trip.
• Acting out: Be aware of how the youth around you are interacting with others. Sometimes a young person may seem like his or her usual self at home but be acting out in unusual ways in other settings.
• Listen and translate: Youth may be unfamiliar with the word stress. They may express feelings of distress through other words such as “worried,” “confused,” “annoyed,” and “angry.” It is important for adults to listen for these words and try to figure out why s/he is saying them and whether they seem to indicate a source of stress.

Mental Health America of Porter County would also like to share some ways to help the youth in your lives beat this holiday stress. According to John Riddle of keepkidshealthy.com the following are some simple tips to help youth avoid or alleviate the stress they may be experiencing.

• Limit TV and video games: It is very easy at this time of year to allow the TV and video games to become the baby sitter. Young people who are stressed need some type of physical activity or exercise.
• Remember routines: During the holidays everyone finds that their routines become disrupted. Youth are often dragged along on shopping expeditions or taken to events over which they have no control. When a routine is broken, stress can result.
• Nutrition: Adults are typically too busy to go home and cook a nutritious meal. Try to plan at least one healthy meal as a family every day. You can also toss in a healthy snack while you're shopping.
• Family traditions: These traditions offer great comfort and security for youth when everything in their lives is being disrupted by the holiday season.
• Rest and relaxation: Everyone, especially youth, needs to take a "time out" over the holiday season to rest and relax. A well-rested youth will be much happier on a trip to the mall. Schedule some R & R time for everyone in the family.
• Laugh: Laughter is still the best way to beat stress and change everyone's mood from bad to good. Take time to read the comics with your young person, or find a holiday joke book with family humor at your bookstore or library.

If you are concerned that a young person is experiencing significant symptoms of stress on a regular basis, please contact a licensed mental health professional at their school or at your community mental health center.

Mental Health America of Porter County offers programs that can assist individuals and families. Building Up Our Youth (BUOY) is dedicated to teaching adults how to instill positive self-esteem and security in the youth around them. For more information about BUOY or our other services please contact Christine Pirlot, Program Director at 462-6267 or cpirlot@mhapc.org.