Published on: 26th January 2021
Dr Chantal Basson, consultant psychologist with Healthy Young Minds, has shared this advice to help families support teenagers who are feeling anxious:
A certain level of anxiety at the moment is going to be completely normal, so normalising this for your teenager is going to be really important.
Help them create a routine. Don’t impose, but try to do this collaboratively.
A morning routine is especially important as this will help stop your teenager becoming nocturnal. For example, starting the day with some music that you know they like to help get them out of bed. A useful routine would include getting dressed and doing some movement.
Encourage chats with friends on video.
Do something nice for someone else – a relative or neighbour.
Do something fun in the day as well as learning.
Keep the news to a minimum.
Get outside once each day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes to the shop and back.
Remember that this will be over… And as a parent – look after yourself too. Family compassion is really important right now. You’re doing the best you can do.
