When nervousness becomes overwhelming, these techniques from Johns Hopkins Medicine and Nemours KidsHealth can help:

: Teens often mirror their parents' stress. Staying calm and lowering your own energy level can help them feel safer and more grounded. Grounding & Relaxation Techniques

According to Children's Wisconsin , a stable routine significantly reduces uncertainty, a major trigger for anxiety.

: Avoid immediately jumping into problem-solving mode. Acknowledge that their feelings are real and understandable given the pressures of school and social life.

: Instead of letting them avoid stressful situations (which can strengthen anxiety over time), gently encourage them to face their fears in small, manageable steps.

: Have them name three things they see, three things they hear, and move three parts of their body (like fingers or toes) to ground themselves in the present.