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
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...
Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)
Picture this… You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine. But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen. Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid...
Find Exercise Exhausting and Painful? Try THIS Natural Fix
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need to exercise.” And sure, you know how vital it is to healthy aging. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get moving—especially when you know you’ll be sore for DAYS after. However, hold on to your seat because I’ve...
Mailbag: Unsteady on Your Feet? Now What?
“I’ve been having trouble with my balance lately and have fallen a couple of times. Could this be related to osteoporosis or another underlying cause?” – John Hi John, It’s always concerning when someone experiences balance issues or falls. While osteoporosis can contribute to an increased risk of falling, several other underlying causes should also...
Is There Really a Hidden Benefit to BROCCOLI?
Just when we thought broccoli’s resume couldn’t get any more impressive, new research proves us wrong. The phytonutrients in this tasty veggie can lower inflammation… balance blood sugar… and even boost your memory. And you likely already know of broccoli’s legendary prowess in preventing cancer. Now, a new study reveals that sulforaphane, the potent compound...
Belly Trick BOOSTS Brain Function
Boy do I love a cheap and easy solution. And if you can’t resist a good bargain either, keep reading. Because I have a brain-boosting one to share that fits the bill. If you’re like most folks, you intend to stay as sharp as a tack well into your golden years. So, you’re always on...
The Hidden Heart Danger LURKING in Your Gut?
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is no walk in the park. The cramping, the urgency, the endless trips to the bathroom—it’s a daily struggle that can leave you exhausted and frustrated. And here’s the kicker: sometimes, IBD’s vague symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis or even NO diagnosis at all....
Has the Key to Unlocking Better MS Treatments Been Found?
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Imagine waking up one morning and feeling a strange tingling in your fingers. You brush it off, thinking it’s just a pinched nerve. But then, your vision starts to blur, and your balance is thrown off. Suddenly, you’re faced with a terrifying reality: you have multiple sclerosis (MS). For the...
6 Secret Ways to Spot HIDDEN Processed Foods
“Avoid eating processed foods,”—If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. The reason why is simple. These Frankenfoods are designed to satisfy your taste buds. But they leave your body full of foreign chemicals that can cause harm and in need of more nutrients. But a patient asked me the other day,...
8 Red Flags There’s a Heart Attack in YOUR Future
Humor me and count to 40. Done? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone in the United States just had a heart attack. That adds up to around 805,000 people a year. Many of those were a “silent” heart attack, with the victim having no clue it even happened—and they go...