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What parent doesn’t feel stressed? For most of us
stress piles up like dirty laundry! Without a method
for relieving daily stress, it will accumulate and
can consume you.

The next time you discover a wad of condoms in your
15-year-old son’s jeans or your 12-year-old daughter
thinks “taking drugs is cool,” stop yourself from
over-reacting. Worry won’t ease your stress, it will
only make matters worse.

The best way to handle the inevitable curve balls
teens throw your way is to stay calm. You can be much
more resilient when you use one of these 30-second
stress relievers:

1. BREATH deliberately.

This is my personal favorite. Why? Because you can
do it anywhere, anytime with immediate results. Just
place your entire attention on your breath as you
inhale and exhale. This will calm your body, mind,
and emotions! Now you’ll be able to think clearly.

2. LISTEN to upbeat music.

For many people, listening to uplifting music will
do the trick to get you back on track. It’s easier
now than ever to create and carry with you the type
of music that causes you to feel confident and great
about yourself.

3. MOVE your body.

No doubt you’ve noticed that if you work out at the
gym, you feel better. Well, you can move your body
without a gym. You can run in place, stretch, or
rebound on a mini-trampoline (I have one in my home
office!). Select a way to move your body that’s easy
for you to do when you need it the most.

ACTION STEP:

April is National Stress Awareness month. Make sure
you use at least one of these powerful methods or create
your own stress-reliever. It’s good to have a back-up
strategy in case you need more than one way to relieve
your stress. Prepare in advance; this way you’ll have
what you need when you need it.

Of course, none of these strategies will work unless
you’re committed to giving them a chance. Sometimes it
feels like we’d rather be upset. Just remember that
stressing creates struggle. And struggling is optional!

Parents aren’t the only ones who feel stressed. So do
teens. Most of them have learned it from us! When we
manage our stress, everyone benefits.

My best,
Barbara

Barbara McRae, MCC