Have a Teen-Aged Grandkid? Better Read This…
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 11, 2018
Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, everyone has a teenager in their life they care about.
Which makes teenage anxiety a problem for everyone.
Teen mental health problems (especially anxiety and depression) have become an epidemic.
Suicides among teenaged girls doubled from 2007 to 2015 (teen boys increased by 30% over the same period).
And hospital admissions for suicidal teenagers have doubled over the last 10 years.
If you are a parent or a grandparent struggling to figure out how to help your teenagers, you are not alone: therapists and schools are struggling, too.
But there are some simple things you can try… starting today.
And they could make all the difference in the life of a teen you love.
We all faced some stress and anxiety during our teen years.
But school administrators and psychologists say something is different about teenagers today.
In part, their anxiety is due to modern means of communication. Certainly, smart phones play a part.
Teens are bombarded with urgent, anxiety-inducing messages throughout the day, from friends, parents, social media, etc.
Anxiety can also come from comparing yourself to others. In olden days, you only had people in your town to compare yourself to. Now try to be the best in something (math, spelling, skateboarding…) and you can find millions of people online better than you.
These are times of high social stress for kids.
So here’s what to do to support the teens you love (and if you suffer from anxiety, these steps will help you, too):
Dr. Scott’s Anxiety-Stomping Program:
- Exposure Therapy: This is my favorite method for dealing with anxiety. What we fear turns out to be not as bad as we think it will be. Exposure therapy is simply putting yourself in the situation that causes you anxiety. This works well for fear of snakes, flying, or talking in front of groups… but doesn’t work well if your teen suffers from anxiety over being bullied.
- Calming herbs: I’ve given sleep herbs like L-theanine to people who have anxiety and found that they work well (though, not for everyone). Take a half-dose in the morning and see how it works.
- Sleep: Anxiety and sleep go hand in hand. Most of us know we feel more anxious when we don’t sleep, but getting teenagers to sleep is a tough battle. Setting boundaries and supporting them with calming herbs can help.
- Exercise: It’s been proven that exercise reduces anxiety. Find something that works for your teens and that they enjoy. The more you can make exercise a game, the better.
Anxiety is a killer of our youth and leads to many bad diseases as we grow older. It is in all of our best interests to learn how to control and manage anxiety.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
"Invisible" Food Ingredients SABOTAGE Blood Sugar
If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar in check, you know the drill. Cut way back on sugar in your diet. While you’re at it, rein in your fat intake too, which can lead to insulin resistance. And don’t forget the extra calories—they add up fast and can sabotage your blood sugar control. But...
The Alarming Microplastic Secret Hidden in Your Chewing Gum
Today I want to honor and thank mothers and mother figures whose caring hearts have guided us through life’s journey. Your love has shaped generations. Happy Mother’s Day! That pack of gum in your pocket may be doing far more than just freshening your breath. A disturbing new study finds chewing gum is a surprising...
Plant Compound SLASHES A1c Levels in 12 Weeks
Diabetes is skyrocketing in the United States. And the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The projected number of adults with diabetes is expected to increase from 22.3 million (9.1 percent) in 2014 to 39.7 million (13.9 percent) in 2030, and further to 60.6 million (17.9 percent) by 2060. That’s a massive 165 percent...
Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health
You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...