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
"Miracle Berry" Supercharges Your Microbiome
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads who’ve shared their wisdom, strength, and love through the years. Thank you for teaching us that the best medicine is laughter, love, and a father’s caring heart. Want to upgrade your health but don’t want complicated diets or expensive supplements? Science just revealed a delicious way...
This "Healthy" Sweetener is Sabotaging Your Weight Loss
Everyone knows that a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. But what if the “diet” products you’re using to cut calories make you hungrier, so you eat more? Well, a shocking new study suggests that a popular artificial sweetener is secretly sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s dig into...
“Banned in Europe” Food Additive Triggers Hormone Chaos
If you’ve ever enjoyed the bright white frosting on a cookie or vibrantly colored candy, you’ve likely consumed titanium dioxide. This common food additive, used to make products look more appealing, is now at the center of a growing health debate. Titanium dioxide is essentially makeup for food—a white powder that enhances colors and makes...
Your Phone Is DESTROYING Your Brain—Here's How to Fight Back
Ever notice how—after a day of bouncing between your phone, computer, and TV—your brain feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton? You may struggle to remember what you need at the store, fumble for words, or stare blankly at your crossword puzzle. It’s not because you’re getting older—it’s what your devices are doing to your...
The Coffee "Prescription" That Fights Aging
Hold onto your coffee mug… because I’ve got news that’ll make your favorite morning ritual even better. New research reveals that your daily coffee habit isn’t just keeping you alert—it could also be keeping you from becoming frail as you age. And if you’re a superfan, the news is even better. The study found that...
Mailbag: Boost Your Blood Pressure Routine NATURALLY
“What are the best supplements to use for treating high blood pressure when one is currently taking blood pressure medication?” —Under Pressure Hi Under, I’ll be the first to admit I’m skeptical of certain so-called “important” medical measurements. However, blood pressure is not one of those. It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep their blood...
Common Deficiency Weakens Your "Cancer Barrier" (Are You at Risk?)
If you’re over 50, you likely know that colorectal cancer is a serious threat. It’s one of the most common—and deadliest—cancers affecting older Americans. But what if I told you that a common vitamin could slash your risk up to 58 percent? A new study once again confirms that this inexpensive nutrient is one of...
Independent Lab Reveals DISTURBING Toothpaste Truth
New, independent testing is exposing some truths about toothpaste. And what it reveals is downright shocking… It turns out that every time you brush your teeth, you could be exposing yourself to dangerous toxins. Testing conducted by Lead Safe Mama (LSM), a leading advocate for lead poisoning prevention, revealed that our toothpaste may be contaminated...
Ancient Persian Secret Unlocks Perfect Sleep in 3 Weeks
If you’re among the millions tossing and turning at night, with sleep remaining frustratingly out of reach, I’ve got exciting news. Scientists discovered an ancient spice—prized for its distinctive flavor and color—might hold the key to better sleep. And unlike many sleep medications, this natural approach works without the morning grogginess or dependency potential… Two...
$5 Pharmacy Find Reverses Aging by 4 Months (Or MORE)
We’re all searching for the elusive fountain of youth. You know—the one anti-aging hack that will give us more happy, healthy years on this Earth. But what if I told you that a simple supplement you can pick up at any pharmacy today might actually slow down your biological aging? A groundbreaking new study suggests...