The transition from adolescence to adulthood is one riddled with angst and anxiety, particularly with regard to the future and all that it may bring. This uncertainty about the course that one’s life may take, stressors about important life events such as university, love, loss, and family can cause significant distress and hamper everyday functioning and well-being. As a young and evolving individual, the ability to adopt a long-term perspective may still be developing, thereby impacting skills of decision-making and leading to self-doubt when faced with crucial decisions. Coupled with the increasing pressure from educational institutions, family, and peers, can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and self-doubt in teenagers and early adults alike. Thus, a looming sense of panic is a common stress-based response and not an additional burden.
As any adult around you may be able to tell you, absolutely no one is prepared when the floodgates of responsibility and reality are opened in adulthood. While panicking about the future is a fairly common cognitive and emotional response, there are various mechanisms that adolescents can adopt to taper anxiety-inducing responses triggered by negative anticipation of the future. Try out these simple steps to help foster a smooth journey out of your panicky teens into a not-so stressful adulthood:
Voice your anxiety
Speaking to your peers, relatives, and parents can prove to have beneficial effects in maintaining your well-being and reducing feelings of dread about the future. You may often find that you are not alone in this journey, which can help provide a sense of comfort and also help resolve certain issues you may be facing. If you feel your anxiety about the future rising to debilitating heights, speak to a certified counselor.
Set achievable goals
Setting small but easy to achieve targets can go a long way in helping teens gain confidence in their own abilities. Try breaking up long-term goals into more manageable and specific ones, and remember to pat yourself on the back as you go! This can help boost feelings of self-worth and make you feel like the star you are.
Get out of your head (and out of bed)!
In the formative years of adolescence, teenagers are often overcome with negative cognitions and emotions, which can come in the way of their physical health. Healthy patterns of sleep, nutrition, and exercise are critical to overall functioning. Furthermore, a healthy body is a healthy mind, and thus physical fitness and well-being can aid teenagers in making more informed life choices.
However, it is important to remember that what may work for one person may not work for another, therefore feel free to take things slow and experiment with different stress-reduction techniques along the way. With the right guidance, peer support, and keeping your head held high, heading towards a bright future will be smooth sailing.
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