25: Tools to Help Teens Manage Stress and Overwhelm

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christa D'Amico,</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">CAGS, NCSP,</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">is a</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">NH Licensed School Psychologist who works at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, NH.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms. D'Amico partners with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment that strengthens connections between home, school, and the community.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms. D'Amico understands that parents want to help their teens and help them with their problems, but that might not always be the best approach. In this episode, Christa shares tips and advice on how parents can teach their children to be more resilient and self-aware when they're managing times of high stress.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Takeaways</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How does safety and relationships play a key part in managing a teen's feeling of being overwhelmed?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Teens get stuck in the emotional side of their brain. Adults are typically able to move out of this area more effectively.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">It's our job as parents and teachers to help teens feel safe.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">We shouldn't underestimate the impacts COVID and isolation has had on our children.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The three ways to help your teen with overwhelm is: Help them feel safe, make sure they feel heard, and notice their distress.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">As parents we want to protect our child no