As Dr. Pamela Ellis addressed in her blog post last week, it’s no secret that students suffer from academic and social stress while in high school. Many simply don’t have the executive skills and emotional maturity to stay on top of all the demands placed on them. How can parents help? Here are five ways to I helped alleviate some of my children’s stress:

1. Eat dinner together 3 or more times during the week.

Dr. Ellis pointed to this strategy in her article and I can attest to its effectiveness. This evening ritual is an important time for one or both parents to sit with students and share what has happened during the day. This is a time that students will often disclose what is bothering them. If you eat separately or watch TV while eating, this opportunity is lost.

2. Encourage Exercise!

Student on sports teams are getting plenty of exercise. In fact, this not only helps them deal with stress, it improves their time management skills. What if your child is not on a team or is not athletic? Consider going to yoga together, walking dogs, or hiring a college student to “work out” with your student. Athletic young adults are GREAT role models for teens when it comes to fitness.

3. Find another peer group.

Students who get involved with their peers in another setting outside of school — like a teen group at a church or temple, in an orchestra, or in a class — have another outlet where they can discuss other topics than at school.

4. Volunteer.

Studies have shown that students who get meaningfully involved with helping others feel better about themselves.

5. Go on excursions! 

They don’t need to be long. Take a ferry ride, go to a musuem with a cool exhibit, attend a musical or dance performance, go biking, stay overnight with family friends in another city, or pick apples. Getting out of the house or away from a computer is key.

If you have other stress-busting suggestions that have helped your student, let us know!