10 Ways for Teens to De-Escalate
- Take a deep breath: Breathe in deeply through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth.
- Step away: Remove yourself from the situation to give yourself space to calm down.
- Count to 10: Give yourself a moment to think before reacting to a situation.
- Use positive self-talk: Encourage yourself with positive affirmations such as "I can handle this" or "I'm in control."
- Take a break: Suggest taking a break from the conversation or revisit it when emotions have cooled down.
- Pause the game: If you're feeling stressed or frustrated while gaming, pause the game and take a break.
- Get moving: Engage in physical activities like walking, dancing, or sports to release tension and improve your mood.
- Write it out: Journaling can be a powerful tool for processing emotions and gaining perspective. Write down your thoughts and feelings to release them and gain clarity.
- Spend time with pets: Interact with pets such as playing fetch, petting or simply cuddling.
- Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member or counselor.