The Minor League: Signs My Teen Is Stressed OutThe Minor League: Signs My Teen Is Stressed Out
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Savannah and Coach Blu talk through practical signs that a teenager may be under serious stress, from headaches and sleepless nights to negative self-talk and constant worry. They share personal examples and simple tools to help families recognise these signals and respond with more understanding and support.
32:56•30 Aug 2020
Spotting Stressed-Out Teens: A Real Talk Guide for Parents and Athletes
Episode Overview
- Frequent headaches, stomach aches and constant illness may indicate stress rather than random sickness, especially when patterns appear.
- Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or getting enough rest is a major warning sign for both teens and adults.
- Irritability, emotional outbursts and negative behaviours like lying or pushing boundaries can be signals of underlying stress rather than simple "bad behaviour".
- Negative self-talk, especially "I am" statements, can lock a young person into shame and should be challenged with more positive, truthful phrases.
- Constant worry can be reduced by rating problems from 1 to 10, focusing only on the bigger issues and accepting what cannot be changed.
“"Whatever follows an 'I am' statement, you're going to consider truth."”
What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This conversation between Savannah Robinson and her dad, Coach Blu Robinson, zooms in on one huge piece of the puzzle: stressed-out teenagers and the families who love them. Aimed at parents, teens, and anyone in recovery trying to build a calmer home, the chat feels like sitting at the kitchen table with a therapist and a teenager who actually tells you what school is really like.
Savannah walks through clear signs that a young person might be under pressure, starting with physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches. Blu explains how stress hormones like cortisol can build up in the body, turning constant tension into very real pain and illness. Sleep comes next, with Savannah joking about how hard it is for teens to hit the "eight to nine hours" target, while Blu admits his own five-hour nights aren’t exactly a gold standard.
They move into emotional signs too: mood swings, irritability, and what they call "negative behaviours"—things like lying, pushing boundaries, or snapping over small requests. Blu points out that these actions are often "calls for help" rather than simple defiance. One of the strongest sections tackles negative self-talk.
Blu puts it bluntly: "Whatever follows an 'I am' statement, you're going to consider truth," and Savannah shares how stress can strip away confidence and replace it with "I'm not good enough." They also talk about constant worry, rating problems from 1 to 10, and using ideas like the serenity prayer to work out what can actually be changed.
This episode is especially useful for parents in recovery who want to spot stress early, respond with more understanding, and avoid passing their own anxiety onto their kids. It’s honest, down-to-earth, and packed with examples that make you ask: what signs might I be missing at home?
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