Comforting and Stress-Reducing Gifts to Help Your Anxious Teen

Anxiety is a common problem for teenagers. Here are some practical tips and ideas for gifts for anxious teens.

Let’s face it. High school has never been easy. For some kids in today’s world, it can be outright debilitating.

There is enormous pressure on our kids to take a rigorous course load in order to get into college. Sports and activities are now like full-time jobs. Social media is constantly in their face telling them to do more and be more. Peer pressure surrounds them at every juncture.

Related: 5 Ways to Prevent High School Burnout

Their bodies are changing, and their teen brains are developing. They are trying to figure out dating and busy schedules and life skills. They desperately want to fit in while also trying to figure out their place.

Not to mention that the world is a chaotic place right now, and our kids lie in the middle of competing interests without much control of their destinies.

It’s no wonder that teenagers today have more anxiety and depression than at any time in history. In fact, according to the Mental Health America, 36% of young girls report being extremely anxious daily and an estimated 12.8 percent of adolescents in the U.S. have experienced at least one episode of major depression

If you think that there could be a chance that their mental health is at risk, then it’s time for a conversation.  But where do you start? Here’s a great post that can guide you through how to broach the subject: How to Talk to Your Teen About Anxiety and Stress.

Anxiety Symptoms in Teens

If you are raising a teen, you know that they are prone to mood swings and erratic behavior. Part of that is just being a teenager. So, how can you tell if it is something more and your teen is experiencing real anxiety symptoms?

Here are a few signs to look for:

• Stomaches
• Headaches
• Racing Heart or Panic
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Nightmares or Sudden Fears They Never Expressed Before
• Negative Thoughts That Spin Out Of Control
• Withdrawing From Family and Friends
• Restlessness and Irritability
• Anger
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Obsessive Behaviors Like Nail Biting, Skin Picking or Even Pulling Out Their Hair
• Crying For What Seems Like No Reason

How Parents Can Help

Sometimes we simply need to be there to support our teens when they get overwhelmed. It’s crucial that we keep an eye out for things going on beyond just the everyday pressures of teen life and model behaviors that teach them how to deal with the stress of everyday life. A few things parents can do to help teens limit their anxiety include:

• Eat a healthy diet. Did you know certain foods can exacerbate stress? Too much sugar, caffeine, or other by-products can make our energy levels soar and make it feel like our anxiety is worse. When kids live on Code Red Mountain Dew and Takis, their stress and agitation can increase exponentially without them even realizing it. While teens should be doing some of their own meal-planning and cooking, try to make sure good choices are available and sit down for a meal together whenever possible. To help your teen learn to cook and for some easy meal ideas, check out this post: 15 Easy Recipes for Teens to Help Them Learn to Cook
• Keep a good sleep schedule. I know, I know, teens like to stay up late and sleep in later, but when you are dealing with anxiety, a sleep schedule can be your best friend. This is not a fun part of parenting teens, but try to enforce some boundaries like no phones in the bedroom after a certain time, curfews on school nights, and a regular wake-up time on the weekends.
• Exercise regularly and get some outside time. Between school, jobs, volunteering, and scrolling social media, some teens can go days without seeing daylight. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to get those endorphins flowing, and there are so many ways teens can workout at home (hint, hint, a yoga mat may make a great gift!) If your teen is pushing back on the exercise, encourage your teen to walk the dog, assign a few outside chores, or require some outdoor activity where your kid will have to move and get some vitamin D.
• Be mindful of screentime. Again, we know this is hard, but try to ensure that your child isn’t going from their laptop to their phone to their video game back to their phone for hours each day. Even small breaks can alleviate some anxiety. It’s not always about the time they spend online as much as what they are doing on it.
• Deep breathing, meditation, and other relaxation techniques. When teens get stressed, it’s vital for them to learn how to bring their pulse back down to normal and manage their anxiety (when possible.)
• Learn practical coping skills, such as breaking a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks or writing lists to show what needs to be done.
• Consider therapy. Many parents want to try to help guide their teens through anxiety, but they just may not be armed with the proper tools or knowledge. Having a therapist who specializes in teen anxiety is a great person to add to your team while helping guide your anxious teen forward in life. A therapist will help your teen better identify the root cause of their anxiety and will teach them coping mechanisms as well as evaluate whether medication might be needed.

You may also want to read this post: Teen Anxiety – 5 Ways To Help Your Teen Cope

Gifts for Anxious Teens

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While the best gifts we can give our teens are intangible, like our time, understanding, and compassion, many products are on the market right now that can help our kids manage their stress, worry, and anxiety. While these are great for special occasions, like birthdays or holidays, most are perfect for a pick-me-up for a teen who is going through a rough time.

*Note, These gifts for anxious teens do not replace professional counseling. They are simply an opportunity to give the anxious teen in your life a little boost or to let them know you care.

Three anxiety management tools we can’t live without

Here are three things we use in our homes that help with anxiety and stress.

Happy Buddha Breathing Buddy: We love the Buddha because it is not only cute bedside decor, but also a great coping mechanism. “Square breathing” is how we cope with anxiety, so I am excited to have a visual tool that will remind me and help me do it when I am overwhelmed.

CoolCura Wearable Wellness Device: CoolCura puts a modern twist on an ancient acupuncture technique called Feng Fu. Feng Fu is the point where the skull meets the spine. CoolCura is worn around your neck and places ice on the Feng Fu point for stress relief, anxiety relief, and pain relief in just 20 minutes.

Head Stress Relief Massager: When my husband gave one of these to me, I thought it was weird, but now I use it every night before I go to bed, and I gave one to each of my three teens as well. This is a great tool to reset your mood. While the scalp massagers scratch, you can feel the stress melt from your body. The massage branches are covered with rubber beads, so there is no pain or uncomfortable experience. Use it once, and you’ll get hooked.

Gifts for teens who worry:

Fidget or Worry Rings: We love that these rings help with anxiety, are functional, and look cute! If you can channel that fidgeting into your worry items, they can help take your mind off of whatever is making you anxious. The beads effortlessly slide over the band as you move them back and forth, and provide pleasing and distracting sensations that can prevent anxiety attacks and refocus your mood. They may also help put an end to pesky habits, like nail-biting or picking. The wearer simply manipulates the beads to administer a sense of serenity and peace. The spinner rings release a relaxing and calming effect on the body. ‘Worry Rings’ have been used in traditional Tibetan meditation as well.

Jacruces Sterling Silver Anxiety Rings Fidget Ring for Women & Men Silver/Gold Thumb Rings with Beads Spinning Spinner Ring Stress Relief Anxiety Fidget Jewelry Ideal Gift, Size 7King Will Mens Spinner 8mm Stainless Steel Ring Anxiety Fidget Ring Black Celtic Dragon Purple Carbon Fiber Inlay Fidget Wedding Ring 7.5PABBEU Anxiety Ring for Women 925 Sterling Silver Fidget Ring With Cubic Zircon Adjustable Stress Spinner Anxiety Ring for WomenBORUO 925 Sterling Silver Ring, Fidget Ring Anxiety Ring, Triple Row Rolling Interlocking Stacking Rings, High Polish Rings for Women, Men Each Band Width 1.8mm Size 9ATCEME 4PCS Fidget Rings for Women Adjustable Stress Relief Fidget Spinner Ring Stainless Steel Sun Moon Star Bead Rotatable Fidget Rings (Silver)Magitaco Spinner Rings Stainless Steel Anxiety Rings Moon Star Flower Lunnar Phase Fidget Rings for Anxiety for Women MenCute Cat Pet Anxiety Relieve Spinner Rings Kitten Animal Fidget Open Adjustable Ring Sterling Silver Plated Worry Stress Relieving Boredom ADHD Autism Jewelry Stacking Finger Promise Engagement Gift

 

We also know that some kids like worry stones, either with or without messages, to keep in their pockets.

Healing crystals: Though crystal healing is still considered a pseudoscience, some sources estimate it existed as far back as 6,000 years ago. Crystals contain different properties, and crystal healing is believed to affect an individual through vibration and through mindset. Whether you subscribe to the philosophy or not, crystals can promote a positive mindset and get your brain focused on something other than worry, stress, and anxiety. Here are a few of our favorite products to git:

Crystal Tree of Life 7 Chakra Healing Crystal Trees for Home Decor, Office Desk Decor, Living Room Decor, Handmade Bonsai Trees for Positive Energy, Money, Good Luck Birthday Gifts for Women, MomKRISININE 7 Chakra Natural Healing Spheres with LED Wooden Stand 40mm Crystal Quartz Stones for Meditation Positive Energy Night Light Decoration Balls Set for HomeORCHID AURA Soy Candles with Healing Crystals. Citrine, Rose Quartz, Amethyst Crystal. Eucalyptus + Lemongrass, Jasmine + Sandalwood, Clary Sage + Lavender. 3PC Scented Candle Set, 2.47oz EachMassive Beads Hematite – Health and Healing Stone – Handmade Yoga Stretch Elastic Bracelet Natural Stone Crystal Healing Power Energy Gifts for Unisex Adult 4mm7 Chakra Stone Healing Crystal Tree of Life Wall Hanging Home Interior Decoration，Window Decoration，Yoga MeditationHealing Crystals Candle for Women – 12oz Wood Wick Candles That Crackle. Crystals and Healing Stones Aromatherapy, Lavender Vanilla Soy Wax for Home Scented. Spiritual Gifts for WomenMAIBAOTA 7 Chakra Healing Crystal Necklace Tree Life Crescent Moon Phase Stone Pendant Necklaces Natural Reiki Spiritual Quartz Gemstone Hippie Witch Jewelry Gifts for Women

 

Journals and Workbooks: Gifts for anxious teens don’t have to be complicated. Writing your worries down is a great first step in conquering them. There are so many great journals and workbooks available right now to help teens combat anxiety and stress. Most provide prompts that can help teens deal with their emotions and anxious thoughts.  Here are a few of our favorites:

We also cannot stress how much tools like adult coloring books can help during stressful times. A perfect gift can be a set of gel pens, a fun coloring book, and a mug for their favorite chamomile tea or hot cocoa.

Salt and Lava Lamps: A typical way to reduce anxiety is to shift your focus from what you are anxious about to something else. These beautiful, fun lamps are great gift ideas that can calm your breathing and shift your teen from an anxious episode.

Himalayan salt lamps are gaining in popularity because of their healing benefits. Some believe a salt lamp can boost mood, improve sleep, reduce allergies, help people breathe easier, clean the air, and reduce anxiety.

pursalt 5.5 Inch Himalayan Salt Lamp Night Light with Remote Control, Upgraded 16 Colors Changing & 4 Light Modes LED USB Salt Rock Lamp, Natural Crystal Pink Mini Small Salt Lamp for Home DecorCOLORLIFE Electric Jellyfish Tank Table Lamp with Color Changing Light Gift for Kids Men Women Home Deco for Room Mood Light for Relax(Black)SUNYA Himalayan Salt Lamp – Metal Basket with 5 LED Bulbs, Pink Rock Salt Lamp Night Light with USB Power Cable. Battery Powered SupportLava® Lamp – 14.5FANHAO Himalayan Salt Lamp, 100% Authentic Natural Hand Carved Moon Pink Crystal Rock Salt with 8 Color Changing, USB Salt Rock Lamp Night Light for Home Decor and Gift, Neem Wooden BaseWBM Salt Lamp – USB Himalayan Salt Lamp with Touch Dimmer Control | Wooden Base | LED Bulb | 5-7lbsJAMBO 16

 

Weighted Blankets and Comfort Gifts for Anxious Teens: It’s been shown over the past decade how much a weighted force can help calm and soothe a person, so a weighted blanket is a great gift for anxious teens. It’s like a hug you can give to yourself. Weighted blankets are more than just for comfort and work in a way that’s similar to an OT technique called deep touch pressure therapy (DTP). Pressure on the body can increase the release of serotonin in the brain. This neurotransmitter is sometimes called the “happy” chemical because it creates a sense of calm and well-being. Weighted blankets can also help a teen — or anyone for that matter — sleep better. Here are some of our favorite products:

ALANSMA Reversible Weighted Blanket for All Season, Luxury Velvet, Warm and Cool, Adult Kids 5Lb Weighted Blanket, Enjoy Sleeping Anywhere(Pink,36Weighted Blanket for Adults (12lbs, 48Lenmen Graphene-Infused Heating Pad 3X Deeper Pain Relief, Weighted Instant Heating Pads for Neck and Shoulders, Heated Wrap w/ 6 Heat Options 4 Auto-Off Timer, Gifts for Mom Women Christmas BirthdayWemore Fleece Weighted Blanket for Adults (60MAXTID Weighted Shoulder Wrap 2 lbs Weighted Relief Wrap for Shoulder, Neck with Glass Beads – Grey Weighted Body Neck Pillows for Adults Kids

 

Stress Relievers: Sometimes, when teens feel that anxiety creeping in, keeping their hands occupied can help them reduce their stress. Squishy balls, mermaid pillows, and fidget gadgets are a great way for teens to take their minds off their anxiety for a few moments and recenter themselves. We’ve seen many students take the therapy dough or balls to school with them, and many teachers are even encouraging their use in classrooms.

Sensory Stress Balls – Stress Relief Fidget Balls for Kids/Adults to Relax, Anxiety Relief, Decompress, Focus, Squeeze Toys for Autism(4 Pack)JA-RU Stretchy Balls Stress Relief Sand Filled Ball for Kids and Adults (1 Unit Assorted) Hand Therapy Stress Ball Tough Squeeze and Stretch. Sensory Fidget Relaxing Toy. | 5558-1AThe Squeeze Aromatherapy Therapy Dough Stress Ball Made 100% Peppermint Essential OilsAroma Dough Lavender Therapy Dough – Relax Essential Oil Clay Dough – Gluten-Free & Non-Allergenic – Child & Adult Therapy Tools – Reduce Stress and Anxiety – Sensory Fidget Equipment–Clay PuttyFidget Dodecagon –12-Side Fidget Cube Relieves Stress and Anxiety Anti Depression Cube for Children and Adults with ADHD ADD OCD Autism (B3 Blue Sky)GOHEYI Pop Fidget Spinner Toys 4 Pack, Simple Popping Fidget Toy, Pop Fidget Pack, Pop Bubble Sensory Toys Set for Kids, Party Favor Fidget Bulk Pack Toys ADHD Stress Relief Hand Pop Fidget Spinnersleegleri Mermaid Sequins Pillow Case, Reversible Sequin Throw Pillow Cover with Zip,Magic Mermaid Cushion Cover for Chair Couch Bed SofaPlay Tailor Mermaid Throw Pillow with Insert Reversible Sequins Pillow Heart Shape Decorative Cushion(13

 

At-Home Pampering: Sometimes, a bath and a little pampering can go a long way for anxiety and stress relief. We particularly love items that are multi-faceted, like the bed of nails bath massager that provides deep pressure, or the aromatic lotions. Teaching our teens self-care is essential, so these products can help your kids understand that taking the time to care for themselves is not only okay but necessary.

huefull Genuine Jade Roller & Gua Sha Set for Face, Cooling & Firming Effect, Sculpting Tool for Jawline & Skin Care, Self-Care Gift for Women & MenDeckTheHalls 18 Pack Shower Steamers – Valentine’s Day Presents – Shower Bombs with Lavender Mint Rose Coco Sea Grapefruit Natural Fragrance, Self Care & Relaxation Presents for Women and Men2PCS Gel Eye Mask, Reusable Hot Cold Therapy Eye Mask for Puffiness /Dark Circles/Eye Bags /Dry Eyes/Headaches/Migraines/Stress Relief, Cooling and Compress Eye Mask (Blue)BeeVines Sleep Mask, 2 Pack 100% Real Natural Pure Silk Eye Masks with Adjustable Strap for Sleeping, Mulberry Silk Eye Sleep Shade Cover, Block Light Reduces Puffy Eyes Traveling GiftsBED OF NAILS Original Comfortable Eco Premium Acupressure Mat, 8,820 Acupuncture Pressure Points, Back Pain Relief, Increased Energy, Relaxation, Muscle Recovery, FSA/HSA Eligible with Tote Bag, 29×16Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Stress Relief Lotion and Wash 2 Piece SetMind Brain Emotion 52 Essential Coping Skills Cards – Self Care Exercises for Stress and Social Anxiety Relief – Resilience, Emotional Agility, Confidence Therapy Games for Teens, AdultsCleverfy Shower Steamers for Aromatherapy – Menthol & Eucalyptus Set of 18 Shower BombsDr. Entre’s Foot Pads: 20 Pack of Turmeric & Ginger Foot Pads | Premium Foot Pads to Feel Better, Sleep Better & Relieve Stress | Organic Foot Patches

 

Know when it’s more than anxiety

If you feel that your teen needs immediate help and you do not know where to start, you can get recommendations for a local psychologist from sources like your teen’s school counselor, social worker, or family doctor. The APA Psychologist Locator is another useful tool to find vetted and licensed psychologists in your area. We also like this article: Getting Professional Help for Your Anxious Child: When and Where to Find a Psychologist.

Also,

Parenting Teens and Tweens is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here are some other popular posts that other parents have found helpful.

Is It More than Just Normal Teen Anxiety–When to Seek Medical Advice

Dear Teen Who Struggles with Anxiety

Signs Of Teenage Depression And How To Help