Which action can help reduce stress in adolescents according to developmental practices?

Encouraging adolescents to express their emotions is a crucial action that can significantly reduce stress. During this developmental stage, adolescents are navigating complex changes—both physically and emotionally. They often experience intense feelings that can be challenging to articulate. Providing a supportive environment where they feel safe to express their thoughts and emotions can help them process their experiences and manage stress more effectively.

Open communication fosters emotional intelligence, allowing adolescents to understand and regulate their feelings. When they are encouraged to share their emotions, they can also explore solutions to their problems, improve their relationships with peers and family, and decrease feelings of isolation or anxiety. This practice not only supports their emotional health but also strengthens resilience, enabling them to cope with stressful situations more effectively.

In contrast, limiting extracurricular activities may deprive adolescents of vital social interactions and opportunities to engage in enjoyable and stress-relieving activities. Increasing academic workload might contribute to feelings of overwhelm and heightened stress rather than alleviating it. Focusing on social isolation would be counterproductive, as social connections are essential for emotional support during this developmental stage. All of these factors highlight the importance of emotional expression as a fundamental approach to reducing stress among adolescents.