Fighting Invisible Tigers: Stress Management for Teens

Stress is something we all experience. But research suggests that adolescents are affected by it in unique ways that can increase impulsivity and risky behaviors. While eliminating stress from life isn’t realistic, young people can learn to control how they respond to it. This book offers proven techniques that teens can use to deal with stressful situations in school, at home, and among friends. They’ll find current information on how stress affects health and decision making and learn stress-management skills to handle stress in positive ways—including assertiveness, positive self-talk, time management, relaxation exercises, and much more. Filled with interesting facts, student quotes, and fun activities, this book is a great resource for any teen who’s said, “I’m stressed out!” 

Stress is something we all experience. But research suggests that adolescents are affected by it in unique ways that can increase impulsivity and risky behaviors. While eliminating stress from life isn’t realistic, young people can learn to control how they respond to it. This book offers proven techniques that teens can use to deal with stressful situations in school, at home, and among friends. They’ll find current information on how stress affects health and decision making and learn stress-management skills to handle stress in positive ways—including assertiveness, positive self-talk, time management, relaxation exercises, and much more. Filled with interesting facts, student quotes, and fun activities, this book is a great resource for any teen who’s said, “I’m stressed out!”

Children's Literature

The revised and updated version of this helpful handbook was written by a clinical psychologist and author of other books for young people. Aimed at middle school students but useful for other ages, too, the book begins by defining stress in our lives and its importance to survival. Short and long term stress is explained, and coping strategies for managing these stresses are emphasized. The author explains that reactions to stress, or one's ability to handle it, as normal to all humans. He uses the analogy of taming stress to taming the invisible tigers in our life. He offers ten tiger-taming techniques such as eating healthy, staying active, being assertive, taking charge by setting goals, and so on. Each technique is accompanied by exercises to help make the techniques a habit. It is helpful advice no matter what your age and assists in turning worry into positive action. It is well written and the layout will appeal to young readers. Cartoonlike drawings, lists, and how-to directions are included. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.

Earl Hipp is the author of many books for young people. He has a B.A. in Psychology and a master’s degree in Psychophysiology. He has worked as a clinical psychotherapist, helping hundreds of people to better understand, cope with, and grow through the challenges in their lives.