One research-backed strategy is to increase tweens’ and teens’ sense of connection to others. Multiple studies show that strong networks of family and social support provide a buffer against adolescent stress, anxiety and pressure, and protect mental health well into adulthood. Here’s how connection helps tweens and teens manage stress, deal with anxiety, and overcome pressure:

1. Connection supports tweens and teens when their brains are more vulnerable to stress.

One likely factor contributing to high levels of teen stress is that the adolescent brain is still developing. The prefrontal cortex– responsible for reasoning, planning and emotional regulation– isn’t fully developed until the mid-to-late 20s. This means teens process stress differently than adults and are more vulnerable to stress-related illnesses like anxiety and depression. Studies show that having close, trusting relationships with others increases resilience to stress. Connections with family, friends, teachers, and others help teens feel secure, process stressful situations and put things in perspective.

2. Connection creates stability and predictability when tweens and teens need it most.

According to developmental psychologist Diana Divecha, parents and caregivers can increase adolescents’ sense of connection through their parenting style and overall family climate. “Authoritative parenting balances warmth and love with clear expectations and the support to meet those expectations… Of all parenting styles, authoritative parenting is the most predictive of positive outcomes for children and teens.” Divecha says it’s also helpful to emphasize “a positive climate that creates a background sense of well-being, joyful ways of staying connected, and regular routines and rituals. In other words, a thriving family life is nourishing, provides a buffer, and supports resilience.”

3. Connections with peers help process everyday stress.

While the stability provided by parents and families is key to helping tweens and teens manage stress, relationships with peers are also critical. One recent study of youth between the ages of 13-16 found that they coped better after day-to-day stressful events, like failing a test, when they were with peers rather than adults. According to the researchers, “Being among peers during times of stress… offers adolescents an open, supportive and rewarding space which may help dampen the emotional turbulence that adolescence can bring.” In other words, tweens and teens need different kinds of relationships to provide different levels of support.

4. Connection builds emotional intelligence.

Diana Divecha says that when it comes to dealing with stress, “Every teen will benefit from a) the ability to be aware of their feelings and b) having strategies for regulation.” Emotional intelligence, or EQ, includes self- and other-awareness: the ability to understand, regulate and express one’s own emotions and to navigate relationships with empathy. To develop their EQ, tweens and teens need connections with others. Healthy relationships let them know their emotions and experiences matter to others, and teach them how to be considerate, compromise and resolve conflict. Not surprisingly, adolescents with a high EQ tend to be emotionally resilient. They’re “happier, more self-confident, and more respectful of others” and also do better in school.

Lucero was built to nurture connection. It’s a safe space for tweens and teens to be themselves, learn emotional regulation skills and connect with people who care about them. They can captain a Crew by inviting up to seven friends and family members to join them on their self-care journey. Crew members cheer each other on, support each other on the hard days and always apologize if their actions or words hurt someone’s feelings. Lucero sparks meaningful conversations, strengthens relationships and cultivates meaningful connection for tweens, teens and the adults who care about them.

1. Focus on feelings.

Emotional intelligence is shut down when teens learn to pretend their own or other peoples’ feelings don’t matter. Instead, they should be able to feel all of their feelings, talk openly about them, and learn how to navigate their emotional highs and lows. Help your teen develop a rich vocabulary to describe emotions. Ask clarifying questions like, “It sounds like after she said that, you felt angry and maybe a little sad… is that right?” And make sure they know that feelings are never right or wrong. Emotions are information, and all of them are valid.

2. Try on someone else’s shoes.

To develop empathy, teens need to be able to imagine how others feel. Sometimes– especially if they’re angry or hurt –that’s really hard to do. Give your teen low-pressure practice by asking them about how others might feel when their own feelings aren’t as intensely involved: “What do you think your friend was feeling in that situation? Can you imagine why they felt that way?” That helps teens get used to multiple perspectives.

3. Keep a journal.

Journaling can help teens clarify their thoughts and feelings, relieve stress and even brainstorm solutions to problems. Help your teen get started with a simple spiral notebook, a journaling app like Journey, or the self-discovery journal True You. Psychologist Alexandra Solomon suggests creating ground rules to protect teens’ privacy; for example, “Let them know that you will not read it unless you are worried about the risk of serious harm to themselves or someone else, (or) that you will never read it without asking them first.”

4. Practice active listening.

Active listening may be the single most powerful way to show your teen how much you care. And when they know what it feels like to be listened to with your full attention, they’re more likely to stay present and listen to others. Active listening is simple but not easy: Try it by putting down your devices, turning off the TV or car radio, focusing all your attention on what your teen is saying, and waiting a few seconds longer than usual to respond.

5. Take responsibility for your feelings.

Conflict is uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be hurtful. In fact, conflict can lead to closer relationships by helping us understand each others’ perspectives and solve problems together. Teach teens to take responsibility for their own feelings by using “I” statements (“I feel hurt when…”) and calling out behaviors instead of people (“When I’m yelled at I…” instead of “When you yell at me…”)

6. Cultivate curiosity.

Being curious about the lives and perspectives of others helps teens develop empathy. Model friendly curiosity when you’re out in the world with your teen, for example, by chatting with cashiers or catching up with neighbors. Make sure your teen has opportunities to meet and form meaningful connections with people who are different from them. Find ways to nurture IRL relationships and help your teen learn conversation skills so they feel confident talking with others.