Encourage your daughter to organize her priorities. If she does not have a weekly planner, get her one where she can have all of her appointments and activities written down. Talk to her about letting the less important activities take a back seat for a while during this busy time.

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises and yoga can help. Exercising such as walking or running just a few minutes every day can help reduce stress. Make sure she is getting enough sleep. A well rested person is much more able to handle stress than one who is sleep deprived. Eating a well balanced diet is also important. Too much sugar and fried foods will zap her energy. Have healthy snacks on hand such as fruit, nuts and yogurt, and encourage drinking lots of water.

Continue to have open communication with your daughter. Acknowledge her feelings when she is stressed and needs to talk. Some teens find that writing about their thoughts and feelings is a great way to reduce their stress and anxiety, and they keep a private journal to help them cope.

These things are not always easy for teenagers to follow, but with your gentle persuasion and your own ability to handle stress, she will have a good role model. If you would like to speak with a counselor you can call our hotline. Your daughter can also call or e-mail us through our website, which is listed below. We are here 24/7 for teens and parents.

Take care and best wishes to you and your daughter!

Sincerely,
Cynthia, Counselor
Boys Town National Hotline
1-800-448-3000
hotline@boystown.org