How To Reduce Stress In Students | A Guide For Parents

Has your child seemed off lately after coming home from school? Do they look more tired at night or easily irritated with their homework?

If so, it’s possible that your child is experiencing school-related stress.

During these times is it important as a parent to be aware of this issue and take steps to help your child manage their stress.

In this guide, we will answer the following questions:

• What is school-related stress?
• What are the signs of stress in children?
• How to reduce stress in students?

So, if you’re a worried parent looking to help your child manage their stress, keep reading!

What is School-Related Stress?

Stress is a natural response that helps individuals cope with challenges and changes in their environment.

School-related stress refers to the emotional, physical, and cognitive responses that students experience due to academic pressures or other challenges related to school life.

School stressors can stem from various factors, such as:

• Academic demands
• Sports and extracurricular activities
• Social pressure to fit in
• Family expectations
• Peer pressure
• Personal struggles

School-related stress and its stressors can vary from student to student. It’s important to remember that what may seem like a small stressor to one student may be a significant challenge for another.

Signs of Stress in Children

It’s essential to recognise the signs of stress in children early on so you can take steps to help them manage it.

Some common signs of stress in students include:

• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
• Easily agitated or emotional.
• Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks.
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches.
• Withdrawal from family and friends.

If you notice any of these stress signs in your children, you need to take proactive steps to help them.

How To Reduce Stress In Students

Once you’ve identified that your child is experiencing stress (either by noticing signs, through open communication, or by a therapist), the next step is to help them manage it.

Here are some practical tips you can use to reduce stress in students:

1. Start By Talking

A casual conversation can go a long way.

If your student is experiencing stress, a formal and strict approach might only add to their anxiety.

Instead, try talking to them in a friendly, non-judgmental manner. Let them know that you are there to listen and support them.

2. Listen Instead Of Lecturing

In casual conversations, it’s easy to slip into the habit of offering advice and lecturing your child. This is the time for your student to talk and open up.

To be a great active listener, check out these friendly tips from Verywell Mind:

• Be present. Do not wander off with your thoughts while your child is talking
• Keep eye contact.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Listen to understand and not to respond.
• Withhold your own thoughts, judgment and advice.
• Reflect on what you hear.
• Be patient.

3. Create A Routine & Stick To It

If your household does not have a regular routine, it might be time to start one.

A routine provides structure and predictability – which are great pillars for managing stress.

A normal and structured routine would look something like the following:

• Morning wake-up time: Set a consistent time for waking up each day.
• Bedtime: Set a consistent time for going to bed each night.
• Meals: Set a consistent time for meals and stick to them.
• Study/Homework Time: Set aside dedicated time for studying or doing homework, preferably at the same time every day.
• Hygiene and self-care: Encourage your child to take regular showers, brush their teeth, and engage in other self-care activities.

Note that your household routine can be tailored to fit the individual needs of your student. The key is consistency.

You can also make it fun by creating a colourful and interactive chart or reward system to motivate them.

4. Explain Stress To The Student

Explaining stress to a child is not always easy, but it is important for them to understand what stress is and how it affects them.

To explain stress to a student, start by defining it in simple terms, such as “Stress is a feeling of being overwhelmed or worried about something.”

Next, explain that everyone experiences stress, which is a normal part of life. However, too much stress can be harmful to our health and well-being.

You can also use relatable examples such as how their body may feel when they are stressed (heart racing, sweaty palms) or how their thoughts may become jumbled and scattered. This will help them understand their own reactions to stressful situations.

When a student understands what is wrong, it can help them accept their stress and find ways to manage it.

5. Teach Time Management

Time management helps students with organisation, productivity, and preparation.

When all three of these are in balance, it can reduce stress.

For example, when your students set out time for exam preparation, projects and homework, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed and rushed.

To teach a student time management, view our blog post that lists time management techniques for students.

6. Encourage Fun Activities

To break away from school-related stress, encourage your students to participate in fun activities outside of school.

This could include playing the guitar, building a Lego tower, painting a portrait or swimming laps in the swimming pool.

Remind your student that it’s okay to take a break from studying and have some fun! You can join in on the fun activities as well to strengthen your relationship!

7. Lead By Example

“Monkey see, monkey do” – a saying that holds true to this day.

Your child looks up to you as a role model, so it’s important to lead by example when it comes to managing stress.

Show them how you handle stressful situations in a calm and effective manner. This can include taking deep breaths, walking, or talking about your feelings with someone you trust.

If you, however, experience a stressful situation where you don’t handle it well, try to keep a positive attitude and reflect on how you could have handled it differently. This can teach your child that stress is a normal part of life and there are healthy ways to manage it.

8. Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, professionals need to step in and help when stress becomes too overwhelming for a student to handle on their own.

If you notice that your child’s stress severely impacts their daily life and well-being, it may be time to seek professional help.

There are two types of professionals that can help your child with school-related stress: A therapist/counsellor or a private tutor.

• A Therapist/Counsellor can help your child work through their stress by providing them with coping mechanisms and strategies that they can use in difficult situations.
• A private tutor, on the other hand, can help your child academically by breaking down complex concepts and providing additional support outside of the classroom.

Both options can greatly benefit your child and alleviate some of their school-related stress.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Take Proactive Steps & Help Your Student Today!

This guide is here to help you tackle the question, “How can we reduce stress in students?” by sharing some practical tips for parents.

Use it when you’re facing challenges (or when you want to prevent them!), and remember to be patient with your child.

Stress can be overwhelming, but with love, support, and some proactive steps, you can help your student manage it in a healthy way.

At Tutor Doctor, we are committed to helping students reach their full potential. Our tutors can provide one-to-one tutoring sessions to help your child tackle academic challenges and build confidence in their abilities.

Additionally, our tutors can also act as mentors and provide emotional support for students who are struggling with school-related stress.

Contact us for a free consultation now, and let’s help your student overcome their stress!