Talking It Out- Teens Health Problems During Covid-19

The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone’s life. Teens may seem to be less at risk for Covid-19 severe symptoms, but their lives are disturbed in other ways. The interruption in their typical school routines, social distancing, and substantial changes to their physical activities influenced significant parts of their lives. Coronavirus has caused many alterations in life that have been disturbing, especially for students who were about to graduate this year and had dreamt about it for so long.  

The stress and uncertainty created by the coronavirus can wear anyone down, but teens might face tough times dealing with it emotionally. Therefore, it is essential to observe and understand their reactions and emotions during this pandemic to address their requirements adequately. It’s a hard time for parents too as they ponder over how to improve mental health as well as physical health of their children. Mentioned below are some of the health problems faced by teens during this pandemic.  

Difficulty in Sleeping or Insomnia 

Teens are likely to be experiencing worry and fear of dying or fear of death of some close family members. It is usual for teens to feel depressed during this time due to lack of physical activity and social distancing. But facing a hard time falling asleep might be harmful to their mental health. Parents need to make sure that their children are not listening to the pandemic news continuously as it increases anxiety and worry. The closure of schools and lack of routine also plays a significant role in affecting children’s lives and schedules that results in disturbed sleep patterns. 

Behavioural Changes due to Forced Isolation 

The uncertainty about how long the imposed measures related to Covid-19 will last around the world can make the teens irritable and stubborn. The loss of social interaction and not being able to have meetups with friends, grandparents, or relatives is a big thing for young children. The forced isolation might cause abrupt changes in the children’s behaviour that could be a potent indicator of severe mental health problems. In this situation, parents should teach their kids to focus on the positive aspect of being together at home. Playing board games or watching a movie together might a calming effect on the teens.  

Increased Risk of Eating Disorders 

The stress caused by coronavirus is not only faced by adults but also by teens. Every child reacts differently in such stressful situations. Most of the kids might show mild symptoms such as decreased appetite, disrupted sleep pattern, or grumpy mood due to tension caused by the pandemic. However, some of them find difficulty in adjusting to new routines and develop serious health problems like eating disorders and need more support to cope during this time. Eating disorders result in severe weight loss that make children even more vulnerable to diseases like coronavirus due to weak immunity. Parents should communicate with kids and discuss their thoughts to make them feel better. 

Issues with Concentration and Focus 

Teens get easily distracted when they are worried or stressed about something. The struggles to switch to new methods of learning, submitting assignments online and strict isolation can influence the mental health of many. Most of the children might face issues in concentrating and focusing and find themselves in trouble completing such tasks. Parents should encourage their kids to be physically active in such situations like going for a morning walk or a 20-minute workout. Exercise renders a lot of health benefits for physical as well as psychological well-being and assists in reducing the levels of stress hormones in the body.