CLASSROOM CHAOS? HARNESSING TEEN STRESS MANAGEMENT 

Part 2 of our “CLASSROOM CHAOS?” series delves into techniques you can use to mitigate teens’ stress levels

PART 2: FOR YOUR TEEN STUDENTS 

TEACH STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES: Introduce several techniques as part of your daily routine. Take a pause for breathing exercises, mindfulness, or muscle relaxation meditation, to help students cope with stress. 

TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS: Help students organize their tasks to reduce the pressure of looming deadlines. Share on-line tools and apps, provide daily calendars or hold a workshop on effective time management.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Set aside time for physical activity during your daily routine. Play quick class games that get students up and out of their seats. Exercise helps reduce stress and improve mood.

COMBAT BULLYING: Create a classroom culture of acceptance and respect. Don’t hesitate to promptly and sensitively address relational aggression and bullying. Your response sets the tone for respectful expectations in your classroom.

HEALTH CHECK-INS: Give students an opportunity to openly discuss their well-being and stressors. Teens appreciate sharing in small groups so have a discussion with groups of 3-4 where teens can unload their pressures and stress as a collective. 

PEER SUPPORT: Teens tend to prefer sharing personal experiences with their peers. Train students as “peer helpers” through active listening and empathy workshops. Empathic listening is a form of emotional support.