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Adolescence and anxiety. The two seem to go hand in hand. From peer pressure to changing hormones, your kids have a lot to deal with as they grow into adults. To help your children through this tricky transition period, give them these helpful tools to keep anxiety from overcoming their life.

Encourage Clean, Healthy Eating

In adolescence, children begin to become more aware of their bodies. They perceive a real, although at times exaggerated, connection between the way their body looks and the way they and the world, perceive them. Instill a good sense of self-esteem early, but also help them choose healthy, wholesome foods at this critical point of growth and development. Many find peace in eating a vegetarian or vegan diet, which is full of health benefits. Help your children find their way to a strong, healthy body.

Find Peaceful Ways to Relieve Their Stress

Stress often becomes more prevalent in the lives of pre-teens and teenagers. Social pressures, school performance and internal stress can be overwhelming when left unchecked. As your children grow, teach them the skills they need to overcome daily stress. Deep breathingcan be a dependable way to relieve emotional strain. Having a healthy hobbycan help as well. Planting a garden, painting with oils or playing an instrument can have a positive impact on the way young people process stress. These creative hobbies can build self-esteem and mental acuity as well.

Provide Tools to Build Positive Relationships

As a parent, you set the tone for the relationships your children will form during their life. This is why it is essential to build a positive, calm bond between all members of your family. Encourage non-violent communicationwhen it comes to resolving sibling or parental arguments. Don’t yell or allow anger to influence the interactions your child experiences or sees. Teach your children the value of positive, loving relationships and be sure to observe the connections they make with friends and schoolmates. Studies show that negative or positive  pressure from peerscan have a great impact on those of adolescent age.

Discuss Addiction Dangers

Too often, the pressures and anxiety that children feel leads to them coping in negative ways. Drugs and alcohol are a real threat to the health of teenagers and pre-teens, so it is vital that you begin discussing addiction dangersat an early age. Have conversations about what is healthy and unhealthy when it comes to these possible toxins. Calmly convey your feelings on addiction and the well wishes you have for your children’s future.

Maintain Spiritual Connections

In this busy world, it can be easy to deprive our souls of the nourishment needed. Adolescents who don’t have a spiritual connection to themselves, or the world, may feel more confused and anxious. Ground your family’s everyday life in peaceful forms of spiritual practice. Make a family meditation space at home, or build each person their own space. Set aside a few moments of each day for every member of your family to come to their center and be thankful for the gifts they have. Teach your children how to remain mindful and find peace in their lives.

Allow Time for Meaningful Rest

We all need sleep to refresh our bodies and minds, but growing children may need more of it. Lack of sleep can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and stunted emotional growth. Ensure your children are getting the rest they need by setting a sleeping schedule early. Have your kids go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. Make their bedroom an oasis of comfort to help soothe them to sleep. Block out harsh lighting and keep the temperature cool at night. Use cool, natural fabricssuch as bamboo, for bedding and blankets.

As a parent, your first instinct is to love and nurture your children. You can’t take all of their problems away but you can give them the tools they need to bring peace and calm back into their lives.

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About the Author:

Dana is the creator of HealthConditions.info, which aims to provide Internet users with helpful content and resources that will lead them to making healthier decisions. Dana has 15 years of caregiving experience, and after seeing some patterns of poor health she became determined to help inform people about healthy living.