Teen Depression and Anxiety in the Time of Quarantine

Teen Depression and Anxiety in the time of Quarantine
by Nurse Christina

Covid-19 has taken its toll on everyone, but the pandemic has proven especially hard for the teen
population. A reported, 7 out of 10 teens have struggled or are currently struggling with their mental health during quarantine. That’s 70%! So, it is no surprise that teen depression and anxiety have reached new heights in 2020.

With teens stuck at home,  more than two-thirds of their waking hours are spent looking at a screen, whether it’s on their computer for distance learning, or on their phone watching the newest Tik-Tok challenges, or even their

TV binging the latest Netflix series; this increase in screen time suppresses the natural production of Melatonin. And thus the cycle begins. Less sleep equals more stress, more stress triggers anxiety, and a constant feeling anxiousness leads to depression. This destructive cycle must be broken in order to thrive.

How is the cycle broken? Meditation or Yoga could be the answer.

Meditation and Yoga are known to relieve the body of stressors thereby creating a state of mindfulness. Yoga’s predetermined poses and mediation’s focused breathing activate the relaxation response of the vagus nerve , which then signals to the parasympathetic nervous system to engage, causing your body to conserve energy, decrease heart rate, increase intestinal and gland activity, and then finally the relaxation of the sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract; basically taking your body to its happy place.

Additionally, yoga increases the production of Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain known for producing a calming effect to assist in decreasing stress, anxiety, and fear, so GABA is good! Then there’s the breathing exercises, these exercises are a must when performing your mediation or yoga routine but they can also be an effective tool for teens to use independently when feeling stressed, angry, anxious, or even during periods of insomnia. Try the Box Breathing Exercise for a quick and easy go-to relaxation exercise.

Try these out!

©      5 minute meditation you can do anywhere

©      2 minute Breathing Bubble

©      Yoga.ed-Teen Yoga Series

©      Rainbow Yoga with Adriene

©      Yoga for the classroom with Adriene

 

Even in the darkest of days, there is light. Do not give up, hope is all around you.

 If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please visit these resources:

Teen Health and Wellness Hotlines