GCSE results day 2017 anxiety: How to help your kids cope with the stress

What to do and what not to do, according to an expert
Amy Harris22 August 2017

Teenagers around the UK are anxiously waiting to receive their GCSE results this Thursdsay August 24 - but it's not just school pupils who are feeling the strain. It's a tense time for parents too as stress and pressure mount.

Here, we asked Bupa expert Stuart Haydock to share his tips for parents to support their children during this exam results period.

“Ask any teenager about the most stressful time in their life and many would say the anticipation of waiting for GCSE results day,” said Haydock.

“But it’s not just a testing time for the students, for some family members, particularly those who haven’t gone through the stress of exams before, it can be difficult to know the right words to say or the level of support to give.

Here are his five top tips - as well as what not to do and say.

1. Talk to them more

Don’t be afraid to simply ask them how they’re feeling, so they know they can come to you if they are feeling overwhelmed. It may be usual for them to hide away in their room doing their own thing – but make a conscious effort to check in on them that little bit more. That extra bit of reassurance can go a long way.

2. Take some time to make them the priority

You will likely feel that your child is always your number one priority. But during this period they may feel vulnerable and alone with their anxious thoughts. Spend a little more time with them doing an activity that you know they enjoy, whether that’s going to the cinema, going to the shops or something else. Making them feel good is the key.

Stress relief products - in pictures

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3. Encourage good sleeping patterns

It’s obviously difficult to tell a teenager when they should be going to sleep, but failure to have a regular sleeping pattern can have detrimental health effects. If they are struggling to fall asleep in the evening, perhaps due to over thinking the upcoming results day, these bedtime meditations might help.

4. Increase their physical activity

Whether they’re usually a marathon runner or a couch potato, their physical activity will likely deplete as the feelings of stress and anxiety increase. The better they feel physically, the better equipped they will be to face any mental challenges they may have – so encourage them to continue – or begin – exercising. You can even join them to improve your own health and wellbeing at the same time!

5. Assess their diet

There are always improvements to be made in anyone’s diet. Be sure to include more fresh fruit and vegetables in the food you are making at home, and pay extra attention to their caffeine intake, as these can also impact the ability to manage stress.

What not to do:

Overthinking won't do anyone any good 

Don’t regularly bring up the big day.

It’s fine to check in and reference results day once or twice, but try to refrain from continuously asking them about the day itself. This will only feed into their anxiety.

Don’t compare results.

It’s important not to compare your child’s results to those of a sibling or another friend. It won’t help to ease the pressure.

Don’t focus on the outcome – focus on the effort.

If they don’t quite get the grades they were hoping for, try not to focus on it too much. Instead, acknowledge that they tried their best and make a plan for the path ahead.

If they’ve asked you not to, don’t go with them.

It’s likely that they will want to go into their school or college alone to collect their results, giving them time to process what exactly it means for them. While it may be natural as a family member to want to go and open the envelope alongside them, respecting their privacy and independence will put them at ease.

Don’t expect them to celebrate only with you.

If they get the grades they want, there’s no doubt they’re going to want to be around their friends to share the good times before they go their separate ways. Give them the space they deserve and let them go and enjoy themselves. They know you’re proud of them.

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