by Nikki Phillips I.P.T.I (holistic massage) & I.I.H.H.T.(Indian head massage) and Multi Sensory Therapist
Email: nikkisweeney@btinternet.com
A Bliss magazine survey 2005, found that a vast majority of readers were struggling with issues like depression, worries over school work, pressures of looking good and family worries.(1)
I surveyed 20 local teens that also appeared to be affected by these issues.
The NSPCC found that 1 in 7 young adults do not tell some one if they are worried. It is vital that children get used to sharing worries and fears from a young age, then they are more likely to grow up to be confident to confide in others. (1) Parents and carers talking about problems will set a precedence. (4)
According to the NSPCC study 2004 (2), more than a third of teens said that they were always worried. None of the teens I surveyed had ever be taught relaxation.
Starting the assessment level by using Holmes and Rahe Social readjustment rating scale gearing to teenagers life style. Recording all information that is shared. Parental or guardian consent may need to be obtained before working with some ne who is under 18.
It will be important to explain what stress is and how important it is to reduce it. That relaxation training can help them to cope with the increasing stresses of life.
Modern children spend less time out side.
Compared with thirty years ago when they went off for many hours at a time. Now they are very controlled. Television, computer games and organised activities are part of a majority of teen’s lives. robs/nat west survey (2) found that half of children surveyed spend three hours or more a day playing on computer games or watching television.
This can stop them having the vital social and emotional development that they need. (2)
Academic research proves that play is an innate biological development process in children as it is in other species. Piaget view is that play contributes to cognition. Learning and social learning theorists say that play is for practicing, Children need space, they need to learn how to risk asses, by climbing, running and jumping. Freud suggests play may help children to over come potential problems. (7)
Yet in England we send children to school at four and start an academic learning programme.
It is important to look out for health issues that may be related to stress
Physical
Mental
Emotional
Headaches
Nervousness
Rashes
Stomach-aches
Fast heartbeat
Perspiration
Increased urination
Lack of Concentration
Forgetfulness
Drop in school performance
Unable to study
Carelessness
Bored
Anger outbursts
Nightmares
Sad/depressed
Scared
Withdrawn
Fighting
Obsessive compulsive behaviour
Health issues need to be acted on immediately to rule out any other medical problems.
Stress management may be the first steps towards the reduction of stress.
Today teens are often warned about the dangers of the world. Hearing of violence, abduction, paedophiles in the news and internet. Although child abduction and murder statistics has remained the same for fifty years. (1)
Children need to feel secure to grow in to confident adults.
Teens need their Parents need to be parents. Not always a friend. (1)
Firmness and boundaries and discipline will reassure them in turbulent times. They need to know what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. But being too strict will lead them in to rebellious behaviour. It can be hard to find the right balance.(1) keeping lines of communication open will be paramount. It is important that children see others relaxing, that relaxation is part of their life.
Families may benefit from using session one together.
Problems such as divorce are part or modern families. A parent that is out of work, a house move a family bereavement or the loss of a loved pet.
Relaxation with the teen’s favourite place where they feel safe and secure could be incorporated in to the scrip.
Racing hormones growth spurts and rapidly changing bodies may cause of stress and anxiety. ****physical relaxation
They may also have fears about sex, sexuality and peer pressure. Keeping teens informed with honest up to date information about sex and sexual health is vital. Also keeping a check on self esteem. Session two and ***
Making aware of where they are carrying physical stress especially with rapid growth and growing pains. Incorporating massage and auto genic training in session six.
School work came high on the list for causing stress.
A survey by the NSPCC and Bliss teens had said that they has cried from pressure of S.A.T.S, GCSEs.(1)
Teens may have fears of letting parents or themselves down. Using session five 53a and time management skills.
They may suffer from exhaustion due to school demands.
Teens need reassurance about doing their best but being shown that it is important to have regular a break. Session 1 takes little time, can relax the mind and body. Leaving them refreshed to return to work.
There may be difficulties at school. Not getting on with teachers or peers. Not feeling they fit in. differences in culture or social back round. They may have different religious upbringing and be living in a predominately one faith area. Most teens want to fit in and go with the crowd.
In an NSPCC survey 69% of children said they had a fear of bullying or being attacked. 1 in 4 12 to 16 year olds had experienced violence, theft or assault.(1)
Signs of problems at school may be refusing to attend or regression. But getting the teen to talk may be difficult, reassuring the teenager that there is some thing that can be done to help them.
They may be being bullied. The first step to wards prevention of bulling to raise the persons self esteem. Being assertive, rather than frightened or aggressive is the best way they can protect them selves.(1)
Use session six building self esteem. Anchoring to positive thoughts and feeling and use session seven in assertiveness training can help.
One of the fastest ways to reduce symptoms will be to encourage the person to, Slow down, Relax, Drop your shoulders, Take slow deep breaths in and out.
Using the stop technique in S7a
If it is hard to attend a particular class they could use on the spot relaxation. Or a trigger. The basic breathing will give them a sense of control. No one will notice them doing it, so they won’t look different.
This is particularly effective if there has not been time to work through the full relaxation training programme.
Leisure time is also controlled. Some attend up to four or five clubs a week. Worth while activities. But can they fill their own time. Or simply have time to do nothing.
Relaxations session can be copied and kept on a book shelf. The teenager can pick and choose relaxation that they fancied that day.
A shocking 94% of teenagers in the bliss survey said they felt there was too much pressure to look good.
Peer pressure can be insidious, it is important to reassure teenagers that only sheep go with the crowd.
Teens will come across situations they may not have experienced before. Children from other back grounds, religions, cultures and ethnic groups.
Giving rise to new moral and ethical issues that they may find hard due to difference in their up bringing and beliefs they have been taught. Remaining solid in their own identity will difficult as they branch out in to adult life. But Anchoring to positive thoughts and feeling can help.
Group sessions will be particularly important in reassuring the teens they are not alone in their experiences.
Teens may experiment with drugs and alcohol. Keeping them informed in a frank and honest way will be best.
Using the notes in session seven and being aware of the signs of drug and alcohol use.
A growing teen needs a healthy balanced diet,
this can be difficult when a teenager wants to live on junk food. Or tries to remain slim. High sugar, salt, additives and colourings and food lacking vital nutrients can add to stress and weight gain. (3) Here self esteems session will be so important in working with prevention of eating disorders.
Stress will rob the body of vital nutrients and can lower the immune system. Some one suffering from stress will benefit from taking a vitamin B complex as well as vitamin C.
Teen vitamins are available.
The pressure to stay up late and play on computer games and social networking is a big part a teens life.
It is recommended that 14 year olds have up to nine hours sleep a nigh. (4) Lacking in this can add to stress levels.
Some may have trouble sleeping so stress management session can reduce anxiety and encourage relaxation before sleep. Especially one with guided imagery or one that is changed to their own personal relaxation place.
Teaching young people the skill of stress management will be a vital tool and can be carried in to adult hood to help them with stress full situations .Giving them life long empowerment.
It appears that teenagers may not share there worries so using relaxation as part of the curriculum will really help them. As prevention rather than cure.
Out of the teens I surveyed 90% would be interested in learning some relaxation methods.
Possibly being incorporated into P.S.H.E(9) classes in school.
Teenagers should also taught and be empowered by the bill of rights.
Bibliography
.1 Your Childs development from Birth to Adolescence M,Walker and Dr R. Lansdowne. Franklin press Apollo Works, 5 Charlton Kings Rd. London NW5 2Sb. Published 1996.
2. Helping your child cope with anxiety Jill Eckersley
Sheldon press 36 Causton St, london SW1P 4ST Published. 2006
3.The good mood diet. J.wurtman and Dr N. Marquis
Rodale press. Rodale Intrnetional ltd, 7-10 Chandos street. London. W1G9AD Published. 2007
4. The teenage manual.Dr Pat Spungin
Haynes Press. Sparkfors, Yovile,Somerset, BA22 7JJ. Published 2007.
5. Child line web site. Child Line - 0800 11 11 | ChildLine.org.u
6. Own survey. Of Local teenagers ranging from twelve years to fifteen. With parental permission.
7. An introduction to child development. G. C Davenport. Collins Educational. 77-85 Fulham Palace rd, Hammersmith. London, W68JB
Published 1992.
8. Essays on play by, N.Sweeney.
9. Personal, Social and Health education in schools.