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Being a teen in the 21st century can be downright stressful. Days are jam-packed with academics, sports, social media, and more—so, if you feel like your teen is being pulled in a million different directions, you are correct. And as children grow, so does their perception of the outside world and their place in it.
“All children, and all people, experience stress in some form. From a young age, children experience stress as they navigate the demands of school and home, trying to balance their desires with structured adult-driven routines,” says Dr. Jon Kole, Senior Director of Psychiatry (Medical Director) at Headspace.
“In middle school, kids focus more on self-identity, leading to complex social dynamics with peers. They grapple with balancing peer and family values while coping with hormonal changes. High school adds in new stressors as teenagers contemplate their future as adults. The pressures of juggling peers, family, and future adulthood may lead to heightened anxiety, disengagement, and/or a loss of hope.”
As parents, there are ways to help children navigate these feelings, including making the word “stress” a little less scary.
“One way for parents to assist their children in handling stress is to normalize stress, set a positive example of stress-management behaviors (given that children closely observe and learn from their parents), and establish open communication when stressors emerge,’ says Dr. Kole. “Parents sharing simple stories of their own stresses and following thoughts, feelings, and healthy coping can be so helpful in sharing a playbook for our child’s own approaches.”
Aside from giving them tools to work through stress, some great toys and gadgets can also help. Here are 15 of our favorite items to help soothe your teen's mind, if only for a few blissful moments.
1. Weighted Stuffed Animal
The weight of these adorable stuffies can ground overstimulated kids, and the lavender infusion can reduce anxiety by calming the body’s flight-or-flight response.
You’ve heard of weighted blankets, but what about a weighted stuffed animal? Choose from an octopus, dog, or flamingo from Mindful and Co. Not only are they weighted to help ground overstimulated bodies, but they are infused with lavender for an extra boost of calm.
Shop the Ollie The Weighted Octopus at Mindful and Co.
2. Sensory Stickers
Stick and restick these textured stickers anywhere to remind your teen to take calming breaths.
Calm Strips are textured sensory stickers with a special reusable adhesive so you can stick them anywhere you need them. This pack comes with various favorites, including a cute apple and worm sticker that reminds teens to take deep breaths.
Shop Calm Breathing Greatest Hits at Calm Strips
3. Yoga Flash Cards
There are a lot of benefits to knowing even a few basic yoga poses to relieve stress and tension.
Setting aside enough time (or money) for an entire yoga class can be stressful in and of itself. Try these yoga flashcards from WorkOut Labs instead. Pick out a few of your favorite poses to create your own routine with your teen to create a feeling of calm at the end of the school day or before bedtime.
Shop the Yoga Flash Cards at Amazon.
4. Squishy Toys
Soft, non-scented and easy to clean, these squishy kitty toys are easy to keep in a pocket for nervous hands.
Keep anxious hands busy with this adorable squishy cat set from Nutty Toys. The bouncy texture calms the mind and allows fingers to fidget freely.
Shop the Nutty Toys Squishy Cat set on Amazon.
5. Meditation Apps
Headspace has an extensive library of meditations and breathing exercises to guide you through your day and into your evening.
With reasonable annual memberships, mental health apps like Headspace offer unlimited access to guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, sleep stories, and more. Not ready to commit? Try a seven-day free trial or try a monthly subscription.
Help manage stress with the Headspace subscription.
6. Adult Coloring Book
Coloring has made a comeback for all ages, and this spiral bound book offers perforated pages and a suggested color palate.
There’s something very freeing about coloring. You can put your cares to the side for a few minutes and focus on a simple task. And you can use whatever colors you like. You don’t even have to stay in the lines. There are no rules. This color-by-numbers book offers a soothing activity for stressed teens who simply need a break.
Shop the Color by Number: Stress-Free Coloring book at Amazon.
7. Stretchy Toys
This Tik Tok favorite can be pulled, thrown or even tied into knots.
There’s a reason this LOEase stretch gorilla is so popular. You can bend and stretch him to no limit, and he’ll always fall back into place. It’s a guaranteed mood booster.
Shop the LOEase stretch gorilla at Amazon.
8. Water Bottles
The Stanley Tumbler is the trendy way to stay hydrated—and the double walled insulation should keep drinks icy for up to 40 hours.
Staying hydrated is as important for your physical health as it is for your mental health. About 75% of your brain is made of water and dehydration has been linked to impaired cognitive function making it more difficult to concentrate, recall details and fight off depression and anxiety.
Shop the Stanley Tumbler at Dick's Sporting Goods.
9. Word Searches
Simple word puzzles can offer enhanced memory, a boost in cognitive skills and in focus—without an increase in stress.
Word searches are a great way to quiet down but still keep your mind active. Just like adult coloring books, they offer a momentary, calm escape from the troubles of daily life.
Shop a variety of crossword puzzles at Amazon.
10. Face Mask
These sheet masks can be stored in the fridge for an extra cooling effect and come in a five pack.
Do something nice for yourself and treat your skin to a soothing face mask from Tony Moly. Pampering yourself is the ultimate in self-care.
Shop the TonyMoly I'm Real Radiance Sheet Mask set at Amazon
11. Fidget Ring
For times when a fidget toy may not be appropriate—a job or an important test—try out a wearable fidget ring with movable parts.
Some people pick when they are stressed or nervous. Give your nails a break with this fidget ring from LuckyAmor.
Shop LuckyAmor Fidget Rings for anxiety at Amazon
12. Putty
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty comes in various creative versions like this “Mixed Emotions” emoji smiley face option.
Consider Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, the grown-up version of Silly Putty. Mold and knead it as the stress slips away from you.
Shop Crazy Aaron's putty at Amazon.
13. Magnets
Fans of Magna-tiles, or geometry, will appreciate these magnetic geode fidget toys from Spek’s.
Feeling the pull and give of magnets is mesmerizing. It also makes for a really fun fidget. Spek’s geode magnetic fidget toy is fun for kids of all ages. Yes, even teens who seem too cool for everything.
Shop the Geode Magnetic Fidget toy at Spek's
14. Journal
A blank page can be its own source of stress, that’s why this journal full of unusual, silly and off-beat prompts is perfect for teens and tweens.
Need a little direction? This popular journal is filled with fun prompts to keep your teen busy, and their minds occupied.
Shop the Wreck This Journal (Black) Expanded Edition at Amazon
15. Fidget Toys
There are a lot of bubble pop fidget toys on the market, but this large sunglass-wearing llama also glows in the dark.
Fidget toys aren’t just for little kids. Teens will like them, too. They come in a ton of different shapes. This one from POP Fidgets is glow-in-the-dark. And a llama. Wearing sunglasses.
Shop the Glow in The Dark POP Bubble Fidget Llama Toy at Amazon