At home, Hedrick tends to at least 60 more.

“I’m not listening to audiobooks, I’m not talking to family, I’m not thinking about work when I’m gardening,” Hedrick said. “I’m in the present moment, fully focused on my plants.”

For Hedrick, gardening is a form of mindfulness meditation. She initially turned to meditation to help manage stress after an autoimmune condition caused flare-ups that led to vision loss. Over time, meditation helped lessen both the frequency and intensity of those flare-ups.

Today, Hedrick incorporates mindfulness-based stress reduction into her work as a psychiatrist and encourages similar mind-body interventions as healthy, science-backed ways to help alleviate anxiety.

In a widely cited clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry, an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program was found to work as well as a commonly prescribed first-line medication for anxiety in reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders.

“Meditation doesn’t just calm you down in the moment,” Hedrick said. “It changes how the brain is wired, helping the thinking part of the brain get better at dialing down the fear response.”

Hedrick said mindfulness meditation strengthens the connection between the prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain responsible for planning, higher-level thinking and information processing—and the amygdala, the brain’s danger center.

“Meditation is a bicep curl for your brain,” she said, noting that neuroimaging studies show meditation can produce measurable structural and functional changes in the brain. “The brain actually gets bigger in the areas that control attention regulation.”

One common meditation misconception, Hedrick said, is that meditating requires sitting perfectly still and emptying the mind. Instead, it’s paying attention to the present moment without judgment.

“Many people find movement—gardening, running, practicing tai chi or yoga, playing the guitar—to be a more accessible form of meditation than sitting still,” she said. “There are infinite ways to bring your mind into the present moment.”

Distraction during meditation is not failure, Hedrick added, but part of the exercise. Redirecting attention strengthens brain circuits involved in emotional regulation and self-awareness.

As with any form of training, the benefits build gradually over time.

“Stick with it,” she said. “The benefits come with practice. That’s why we call it a practice—you have to keep doing it.”

Hedrick cautions, however, that meditation should not be used to suppress difficult emotions.

“Meditation works best when you stop trying to use it to feel better and instead, use it to get better at feeling,” Hedrick said. “Mindfulness is most powerful when integrated with therapy. If unresolved trauma, grief or depression are driving these emotions, you still need the therapeutic work of understanding and processing them.”

Hedrick emphasized that meditation is not always calming or appropriate for everyone, particularly people with trauma histories, severe anxiety or certain psychiatric conditions. In those cases, treatment decisions should be guided by a healthcare professional.

“Meditation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution or a cure-all,” Hedrick said. “Consider it one part of a tool kit. Mindfulness works alongside therapy, physical activity, social connection—and, when appropriate, medication.”

For those interested in beginning a mindfulness practice, Hedrick recommends joining a guided meditation group, exploring a digital app, or incorporating breath work—slow, focused breathing that helps calm the body and anchor attention in the present moment.

Music to Calm and Heal

Meditation and mindfulness are not the only therapeutic tools that can help people cope with stress and anxiety. Music also can bring comfort, connection and emotional relief.

Bronwen Jones, MTheol, BCC, an interfaith chaplain in the Spiritual Care Department who works with the Patient and Family Support Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, coordinates live, virtual concerts by professional musicians for patients receiving chemotherapy and other treatments.

In infusion areas, music—from Gershwin to Beatles classics—acts as a salve.

“Hearing live music completely changes the atmosphere of the room,” Jones said. “It’s extraordinary and powerful when a professional musician plays for one of our patients. It’s a uniquely personal and often emotional experience—a magical moment where people transform.”

Jones coordinates the performances with musicians through the Project: Music Heals Us “Vital Sounds Initiative.” Sessions are tailored to each person’s musical preferences, with musicians often taking requests and building rapport along the way.

Patients frequently describe the music as the highlight of their day, Jones said, helping them relax and reconnect with joy during the often-isolating experience of cancer treatment.

She recalled one patient whose blood pressure was dangerously high before chemotherapy. After watching a live cello performance, the patient’s blood pressure decreased so dramatically that she was able to proceed with treatment.

Jones, a former professional musician, said music can reach people emotionally in ways other interventions sometimes cannot.

“If you appreciate listening to music, you can use it to help shape your mood—whether you’re seeking tranquility or a sense of renewal,” she said. “I also encourage people to learn or relearn an instrument because engaging in learning is a wonderful coping skill when dealing with anxiety.”

The Power of Awe

Like meditation and music, awe—experiencing wonder, admiration and reverence when encountering something vast, powerful or beautiful—can allow for conceptual reframing by reconnecting people to meaning, gratitude and perspective.

Postdoctoral scientist Rebecca Benhaghnazar, PhD, founder and co-chair of the Scientific, Spiritual and Interfaith Community at Cedars-Sinai, said awe can emerge through music, prayer, mindfulness, nature or art—anything that helps people feel connected to something larger than themselves.

“Whatever allows a person to transcend themselves can create a very powerful shift in cognitive retraining,” Benhaghnazar said. “For some, that’s taking in a sunset or listening to beautiful music. For others, it’s prayer.”

Benhaghnazar, whose research focuses on therapeutic design and cell biology, finds those moments of awe in her own work.

“I get to take a look at nature on a microscopic level,” she said. “When I see inside a single cell, it’s wondrous.”

In a culture dominated by nonstop stimulation, Benhaghnazar emphasized the mental reset that even a few reflective moments can provide.

“A daily awe practice is a must,” she said. “Go outside for a few minutes and look at the leaves on a tree, look up at the sky. Awe, connection, spirituality, gratitude—they’re all grounding.”

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Sound Advice—Do Sound Therapy and Binaural Beats Work?

One year after wildfires tore through Pacific Palisades and Altadena, upending hundreds of thousands of lives across Los Angeles, many residents are still navigating recovery—rebuilding homes, reestablishing routines and managing the emotional aftershocks of disaster.

As communities mark the anniversary, questions about resilience feel especially relevant: What does it mean to be resilient? Do resilient people share common traits? Can resilience be strengthened over time?

The answers, said Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai, are layered and complex.

“The notion that resilience is just pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is an oversimplification,” Danovitch said. “When we think about resilience, we must avoid applying our own framework to somebody else’s situation. Rather, we need to recognize that there may be different conditions shaping their response.”

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom recently spoke with Danovitch about the science of resilience, the role of meaning and social connection, and what the past year reveals about resilience as Angelenos continue to recover and adapt.

What is resilience?

Resilience is often misunderstood. In reality, it is the capacity to adapt—to focus on what can be brought under your control so you can better cope with what you cannot control. At its core, resilience involves flexibility: adjusting expectations, behaviors and coping strategies in response to changing circumstances.

Do resilient people share common traits?

There isn’t a single profile for resilience because people differ widely in their skills, resources and circumstances. An artist, a professional athlete and a surgeon may each rely on very different strategies to navigate stress and adversity. Some people have a more positive outlook, and others are more cautious and skeptical. Both approaches can be valuable. Faith and spirituality can serve as anchors for some people, while others find different ways to ground them in challenging times. There are multiple ways to respond to the world around us, and resilience is less about having the “right” traits and more about being able to use the tools available to us in ways that fit our lives.

Are there shared building blocks?

While resilience looks different across individuals, a related area of research focuses on meaning-making, a concept closely associated with psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl argued that even in the face of profound suffering, the ability to find purpose can help preserve one’s sense of self. If you can make or find meaning, you can adapt, and if you can adapt, you can survive.

What else shapes resilience?

Like most psychological characteristics, resilience is shaped by biology, psychology and social environment. Early life experiences matter. Stability, love and support can strengthen coping skills, while trauma also can leave lasting imprints. But resilience cannot be predicted by childhood experiences alone. Developmental experiences interact with biological predispositions in ways that aren’t always linear or predictable.

Can resilience be improved?

Yes. There is substantial research on how to recover from adversity; I’ll simplify it into four broad categories.  The first is improving emotional awareness—learning to recognize, name and express feelings. This awareness makes emotional regulation possible, whether through taking a timeout during emotional distress or practicing mindfulness or breathing exercises. The time to manage a highly charged conflict is not when you’re overwhelmed, but when your mind and body are calm enough to access your own wisdom. Frankl’s insight is relevant here: While you can’t always control your circumstances or feelings, you can control your attitude and response. The second category involves setting boundaries and expectations, which allows people to express agency and protect themselves emotionally or physically. The third is self-care—including adequate sleep, proper nutrition, physical activity and stress management. The fourth is meaning-making and social connection—cultivating relationships, community and experiences that provide a sense of purpose.  One important note: It’s easy to talk about strengthening resilience. It’s much harder to practice it consistently. 

What can the L.A. wildfires reveal about community resilience?

The story is still unfolding. Recovery isn’t cut and dry, and it doesn’t end just because it’s been a year. Disaster research shows emotional responses often emerge in phases. There’s the initial crisis and response people must navigate, and then there are phases of the psychological effects that tend to surface later. The continued impact on families and communities remains profound. We’ll continue to see regrowth and rebuilding as people navigate new challenges and curveballs. The bottom line is that it’s important to remember that flexibility—both in how resilience is defined and how it’s practiced—is central to understanding recovery from adversity.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: The Power of Healthy Stress

More than a quarter of U.S. adults say they are estranged from at least one close relative, and “going no-contact” with family members is a phrase heard more often these days. Whether more people are distancing themselves from family—or simply more comfortable talking about it—is unclear.

What is clear, said Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai, is that loneliness is a growing health problem, and the holidays can intensify feelings of depression and isolation.

“There are many causes of loneliness, but certainly one of the most significant emerging causes is our physical disconnection and increasing reliance on technology to communicate with each other,” Danovitch said. “We evolved to be a highly social species with the capacity to form personal relationships, families, tribes and communities. Some of the most remarkable distinctions of the human brain are those that help us understand one another, imagine another person’s perspective, and empathically share their feelings.

“But we’ve seen an unraveling of the social structures that have always anchored us, and particularly during times of need, that has left many of us feeling alone and disconnected.”

These dynamics create a host of challenges and difficult emotions that commonly surface during the holidays, when relationships, family and community are front and center.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Danovitch about ways to cope with loneliness and estrangement during the holiday season, as well as how to build meaningful and healthy connections.

Why do people feel lonelier or depressed during the holidays? 

There are several reasons. Loneliness and isolation are amplified during the holidays if people are already experiencing a sense of separation from their families of origin or the social pain of loneliness. Even people who are not estranged from their families—but who may not live close by or aren’t accustomed to spending time together—can suddenly feel overwhelmed by dynamics that resurface as if no time has passed, although one person is now an adult and another a grandparent. Another contributor to holiday depression or loneliness is expectations. People bring personal ideas about what the holidays should look like, and those expectations often carry emotional weight—and often don’t align with reality.

How can people cope when there is family estrangement or spending time together is difficult?

When it comes to family dynamics, relationships are messy. Families are messy. It’s valuable to be aware of challenging dynamics and to bring patience and grace to any interactions. Take a deep breath and feel compassion and forgiveness if you feel like you're not being your best self. If you suddenly slip back into the 13-year-old version of yourself, give yourself a break. Give your family a break. Also, know that you can't solve everything over one holiday. Developing better or more fulfilling relationships with family takes effort and time. Lean into relationships and approach engagement and connecting in a way that feels appropriate for the situation and the individuals.

For mental wellbeing, is it OK to maintain boundaries with family during the holidays?

There's no right or wrong answer. Boundaries are individualized, and I wouldn’t judge the reason somebody does or doesn't want to spend time with their family—or whether they remain estranged. That's for them to decide. But I think it's helpful to be honest and accepting of our decisions on how to handle the tradeoffs we make. Self-acceptance and self-compassion are an important foundation for everything else.

How can people cope if they don’t have family to spend the holidays with?

Foster connections within the community and the people around you—friends, neighbors, or groups who share an interest that’s important to you. Think about participating in a food kitchen or a beach cleanup, or volunteer with an animal shelter or in supportive services for kids. Spend time outdoors or reach out to your neighbors. Consider what interests you, what moves you, and how you can find others who share those interests. These connections are crucial for mental health. 

What are healthy ways to manage holiday stress—say, social anxiety or discomfort during holiday gatherings?

Social anxiety is one of the most common types of anxiety, and meeting new people is one of the most stressful things people do. Part of what makes us anxious is the feeling that we're being judged, so we're prone to worrying about coming across the right way. When you're in a group and somebody is new, be gracious and include them. It goes a long way. For people worried about falling into old habits with their family, consider intentional activities. Some families come together and talk, and then conversation drifts toward points of conflict—like politics or religion. Redirect with a board game, a movie or a group hike. It’s time together that matters.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Social Anxiety—How to Navigate the Holiday Season

The multi-institutional study was published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

The addiction consultation service, called the Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START), pairs experts in addiction treatment: a physician with a social worker or case manager. The team provides each patient with diagnostic assessments, recommendations for treatments, psychosocial support, connections to post-hospital medical care and follow-up telephone calls for one month.

“Our program addresses a major challenge across hospitals,” said Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai and senior author of the study. “Even though effective medications exist for opioid use disorders, only a small percentage of hospitalized patients begin treatment during their stay or connect with services after discharge.”

Danovitch, START lead principal investigator, said the service offers a supportive, patient-centered intervention that reduces stigma, promotes engagement and increases access to both treatment and follow-up services.

The co-led study was done in collaboration with RAND and conducted from 2021 through 2023 at three geographically distinct U.S. hospitals: Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles; University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The study included 325 hospitalized patients 18 or older who had a probable diagnosis of opioid use disorder. Of the patients enrolled,164 were randomly assigned to the START program while 161 received the usual hospital care.

The data shows that 57.3% of the START patients began medication treatment for opioid use disorder while in the hospital compared with 26.7% of the patients in the usual care group. Additionally, the study showed that 72% of the START patients accessed follow-up care within 30 days after discharge from the hospital compared with 48.1% of the control group.

Prior studies have shown that addiction consultation services are associated with improvements in care and outcomes, but this new study was the first multisite, randomized, controlled trial to compare the effects of such services to usual care, Danovitch said.

Opioid use disorder is a persistent problem. Nearly 80,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the U.S. in 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2002 and 2018, hospital admissions for opioid use disorder rose significantly—from nearly 302,000 to nearly 942,000.

“Hospitalization provides a crucial window to involve patients in addiction treatment when they might be most open to it, particularly after experiencing health-related consequences of their substance use,” said Jeffrey A. Golden, MD,  director of the Burns and Allen Research Institute and executive vice dean for Research and Education at Cedars-Sinai. “These important findings show how the medical community can significantly boost this engagement and help find solutions for the national opioid epidemic.”

Other Cedars-Sinai authors include: Mia W. Mazer, BSc; Teryl Nuckols, MD, MSHS; and Waguih William IsHak, MD.

Other authors include: Allison J. Ober, PhD; Cristina Murray-Krezan, PhD; Kimberly Page, PhD; Peter D. Friedmann, MD, MPH; Jess Anderson, MS; Karen Chan Osilla, PhD; Stephen Ryzewicz, MD; Sergio Huerta, MD: Randall A. Hoskinson, MA; Richard Garvey, MA; Alexandra Peltz, BA; Katherine E. Watkins, MD, MSHS; and Louis T. Mariano, PhD.

Funding: Support for the study was provided by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and National Institute on Drug Abuse, both parts of the National Institutes of Health, under grant award number U01TR002756-01A1. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

“For very young children, use simple explanations when answering their questions,” Hedrick said. “With older children, you want to be honest and open, directly answering questions and using as simple language as possible.”

Playtime can help children express themselves and feel a sense of control. One example, Hedrick said, is focusing on the positive aspects of knowing fire safety.

“For children who haven’t lost their homes but are affected by the fires, involve them in age-appropriate fire drills,” she said. “Or allow other types of play to be related to the fire, because a lot of times it’s easier for kids to express their feelings through play than by outwardly saying, ‘I'm feeling scared.’”

Building simple forts with pillows, blankets and sheets can be a beneficial play activity for children of all ages—even some middle schoolers, Hedrick said.

“The parent can get inside the fort with them and talk about feelings, as the child may feel safer there,” she said.

It also can be helpful for parents to model how to express feelings.

“A parent could say something like, ‘I noticed I was feeling a little scared today; are you feeling scared?’ This gives their child a chance to talk about feelings of fear, anger, sadness,” she said.

Alternatively, when the child says they’re angry, sad or scared, parents should acknowledge those emotions.

“It’s important not to say, ‘You don't have to feel sad or scared or angry,’” Hedrick said. “It's better to say, ‘Of course, that’s how you’re feeling and it’s perfectly normal. At the same time, there are things we can be grateful for—let’s talk about some of those.’”

Tweens and teens especially may find journaling helpful, as well as art, physical activities and supportive connections with their peers.

“Reminders that there is hope, and that the family will get through this together, are important,” Hedrick said.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Art Therapy Helps Children Cope With Trauma

That’s true for people experiencing the trauma of devastation and loss firsthand, as well as those following the news from a distance, said Rabbi Jason Weiner, PhD, senior rabbi at Cedars-Sinai and director of the Spiritual Care Department.

“This tragedy reminds us all of our vulnerability,” he said.

Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the medical center’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, said feeling distress and anxiety right now is normal, as is feeling numb or disconnected from emotions.

“There is no one-size-fits-all response to the challenges we’re facing, and adapting to stress can take time, but it helps to pinpoint specific sources of worry,” Danovitch said. “Is there nervousness about the safety of loved ones or a home? Is it the long-term impact on the community or uncertainty about air quality? Knowing this can help manage anxiety in a constructive way.”

Among anxiety management tactics are maintaining daily routines and self-care while staying connected with supportive people, getting adequate rest and exercise, and practicing relaxation or meditation exercises.  

“It also can help to make sure you’re getting information from trustworthy sources to help avoid unnecessary fear,” Danovitch said. “Plan ahead for potential future evacuations and manage exposure to news and social media.”

Is It Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Negative thoughts, sleep or concentration problems, social withdrawal or intensified and persistent symptoms of despair that interfere with daily functioning could signal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“A therapist who specializes in trauma treatment, along with medications and participating in support groups and psychotherapy, can be beneficial,” Danovitch said. “Some people may develop PTSD and others won't, but all emotional responses deserve care and attention.”

The National Center for PTSD can provide guidance for immediate coping strategies and long-term recovery.

Feeling Seen and Heard

Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center Chaplain Carrie Kohler, MPhil, BCC, can personally relate to hospital patients and staff struggling with grief and uncertainty. She navigated those same complex emotions after evacuating her home during the wildfires.

“Some people are grappling with survivor’s guilt or a sense of helplessness as they try to support loved ones,” Kohler said. “For others, there are practical and logistical questions—how to file an insurance claim or get transportation to a Disaster Recovery Center. Social disparities, such as language barriers, physical disabilities or compromised health, can make already difficult tasks more challenging. It can all feel very overwhelming.”

Kohler said listening and validating experiences is critical in providing support.

“Comfort and hope are created when people feel seen and heard, and that can be simply sitting with someone in their pain without rushing to fix it,” she said. “Hope isn’t about erasing pain or pretending everything will be fine; it’s about making space for all emotions and respecting individual experiences.”

Empathy From Afar

Those who live miles away may also feel distraught. Danovitch said that’s human nature—and it may be especially true for people who once lived in Los Angeles, because the fires conjure nostalgia as well as loss.

“Former Angelenos often have deep relationships, memories and connections to the area,” he said. “Seeing those threatened can heighten feelings of longing and attachment.”

Kohler agreed. “It might even reignite memories of your own past challenges in L.A., blending past and present grief,” she said. “For people without a direct connection, the fires may evoke a generalized empathy or compassion. These are normal emotions and feelings.”

Helping Children

For parents of kids who have experienced the fires, listening is key, said Suzanne Silverstein, MA, founding director of Cedars-Sinai Share & Care and a registered art therapist.

“Hear what they’re saying,” Silverstein said. “Instead of talking at them, validate their feelings by acknowledging that it’s scary, hard or sad. Reassure them that they are OK as a family and will get through this together.”

Art for young children can be a beneficial coping mechanism: Children can draw things they miss, or items they would have gotten out of their home if they’d had the chance. Very young children may be better able to express feelings through play—using dolls or stuffed animals to act out scenarios and discuss emotions, or building forts with sheets and pillows to create a “safe space.”

“When adults can provide a safe emotional space for the child to take the lead in creative play, children will naturally work through difficult emotions without having to verbalize their feelings directly,” said Rebecca Hedrick, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cedars-Sinai. “It helps them feel some control and be able to process grief.

“Older kids may benefit from a daily ritual of saying five things that they’re sad about, five things they’re worried or angry about, five things they’re grateful for, and five things they’re looking forward to.”

The Path Forward

Patience, compassion, and faith in a better future are values to uphold in this time of crisis, the experts agreed.

“Take time to stop and mourn, and then address things one day at a time, one minute at a time,” Weiner said. “We shouldn’t try to do it all on our own—we need community now more than ever. I’ve been very moved by our community’s resilience.”

Cedars-Sinai Christian Chaplain the Rev. Peggy Kelley said she often has witnessed that “out of chaos comes creation,” and added, “This moment in time will bring healing restoration, new depths of compassion, profound lessons and growth.”

Kohler noted that spirituality can serve as an anchor to help make sense of what can feel senseless.

“Faith doesn’t erase pain,” Kohler said, “but it can provide a way to hold that pain while moving toward healing. We’re all in this together, and whether it’s in shared grief, acts of kindness, or the effort to rebuild, this experience has deepened my appreciation for community. By holding space for grief and recovery, we transform collective trauma into collective renewal.”

For the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom team's complete coverage of the Los Angeles County wildfires, please click here.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom sat down with Sabrina Renteria, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, and Romina Kim, MD, a pediatric hospitalist with Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, to discuss stress and burnout symptoms and what parents can do to help.  

What are some of the main causes of stress and burnout in children and teens?

Renteria: Some of the top causes of stress and burnout for this age group stem from academic pressures with high expectations and heavy workloads. High achievers, in particular, tend to overwhelm themselves with extracurricular activities in addition to their schoolwork, leaving insufficient time for rest and relaxation, which can be exhausting both physically and mentally. Additionally, social stress is often a contributing factor, especially in the age of social media where kids are constantly online. Bullying, peer pressure and difficulties navigating social relationships can all lead to severe emotional distress.  

What do stress and burnout look like in this age group?

Renteria: Burnout and stress in children and teens can manifest in various ways. This can look like snappiness or irritability, lack of energy or tearfulness. Depression and withdrawing from friends and family can be common as well. Children might even express frustration or that they feel like giving up.

Kim: Physically, stress can show up as things like headaches, gastrointestinal issues, unintended weight loss due to loss of appetite, tics and other generalized pain. In severe cases, some patients can experience what’s known as functional neurologic disorder, which is characterized by physical symptoms that cause distress and impair function without a structural or neurologic abnormality. In these cases, while nothing seems to be physically wrong with the child, they may experience various physical manifestations, including the inability to walk, muscle weakness or even seizures. With proper treatment, along with time and patience, most of these ailments are reversible.

How do doctors determine if a child’s physical ailment is stress-related, versus physiological?

Kim: It’s our role as doctors to do our due diligence. We always start by obtaining a detailed history from the patient and their family. This subjective information is our first step to piece together the puzzle. We also obtain objective data, such as physical exams, lab work, imaging studies and more to help support a possible diagnosis. Once we narrow things down, we often bring in additional experts, such as our neurology or psychiatry teams to help us confirm the diagnosis and address the problem to get the patient firmly on a path to recovery.

What signs of stress or burnout should parents or guardians look for in their children?

Renteria: Parents know their children best and should look out for significant changes in their behavior and mood. If your child starts to have a drop in grades, is increasingly irritable or constantly in a bad mood, those could all be signs they are under too much stress. Kids may also lose interest in their previously cherished pastimes or hobbies. Another red flag may be sleep issues, like trouble falling or staying asleep, or even sleeping too much.

Kim: When kids are burned out or feeling too much stress, they tend not to be able to cope with their emotions. Often, even the smallest inconvenience can trigger a big reaction. It’s important that parents don’t automatically dismiss what may be an unusual behavior for their child as them just being a “moody teenager,” when there may be much more to it than that.

How can parents or guardians help their kids manage significant stress or burnout?

Renteria: It’s OK for kids to be active and busy, but it’s all about striking a balance. It is important to find the right amount of organized activity and free time to help promote social and emotional growth and development in your child. Parents can help children combat burnout by encouraging them to engage in physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, establish a daily routine, set realistic goals, practice relaxation techniques, limit screen time and seek professional help if needed.

Kim: By building an open, communicative relationship with their children early on, parents can create a foundation in which a child feels comfortable being able to talk openly about any stress or anxiety they’re experiencing. Another important thing for parents to remember: If they are not modeling good self-care and coping skills themselves, it is that much more difficult for their children to learn these habits. By setting an example of healthy balance for yourself, you can help set your kids up for success as well.

Read more from the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Five Deep Breathing Exercises for Kids and Teens