Lisa Edmondson – Women’s and Children’s Health Lead, Nurse, Master Holistic Health Coach (Nutrition & Metabolic, Mental Health)
Anxiety in Young People: A Growing Challenge
Across New Zealand and worldwide, anxiety in children and young people is increasing at an alarming rate. Families, schools, and communities are witnessing more stress, emotional struggles, and physical symptoms of anxiety in children than ever before.
At Global Health in Auckland, we see this as a signal — not of weakness, but of imbalance. And we are dedicated to restoring health and resilience through a whole system approach to children and young people’s health and wellness.
Why Is Anxiety Rising in Children and Young People?
1. Social Media and Technology Pressures
Young people are growing up in a digital world of constant comparison and information overload. Social media platforms create unrealistic expectations, leaving children vulnerable to low self-esteem and heightened anxiety.
2. Academic and Performance Stress
Schooling has become more demanding, with heavy workloads, constant assessments, and extracurricular expectations. This “achievement pressure” is driving perfectionism and burnout in even the youngest learners.
3. Family and Lifestyle Pressures
Busy family schedules, financial stress, and reduced time for rest and play all contribute to emotional strain. Children often absorb these tensions, leading to worry and unrest.
4. Global Uncertainty and Future Fears
Climate change, pandemics, and world events filter into young minds through media exposure. This contributes to a sense of instability and fear, which can manifest as chronic anxiety.
It’s important to ask: what do these pressures actually do to young people? Why do social, academic, family, and global stressors translate into such widespread anxiety, worry, and physical health issues?
The answer lies in resilience — and the intimate connection between the mind and the gut.
Children Are Less Resilient Today
In previous generations, unstructured play, time in nature, family meals, and community rituals provided a natural buffer against stress. These activities built nervous system regulation and emotional resilience. Today, many of these protective factors have been eroded by screen time, busy schedules, and societal pressures. Without them, children have fewer tools to process stress, so worry and fear quickly escalate.
The Stress Response and the Gut
When a child feels anxious or unsafe, the brain activates the stress response system — releasing cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this is helpful, preparing the body to “fight or flee.” But when the stress is ongoing (constant comparison, academic pressure, family tension), the body never returns to balance.
This has a profound impact on the gut:
- Reduced digestion: Blood flow is diverted away from the gut during stress, slowing digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Microbiome imbalance: Chronic stress alters the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, increasing inflammation.
- Increased gut permeability (“leaky gut”): Stress hormones can weaken the gut lining, allowing toxins and undigested food particles into the bloodstream.
- Disrupted neurotransmitter production: The gut produces up to 90% of the body’s serotonin (the “feel-good” chemical). A disrupted gut microbiome means less serotonin, directly lowering mood and increasing anxiety.
The Gut–Brain Feedback Loop
Once the gut is out of balance, it sends distress signals back to the brain via the vagus nerve. This creates a loop:
- Stress and worry disrupt the gut.
- A disrupted gut increases anxiety and low mood.
- The brain, now more anxious, sends more stress signals to the gut.
Over time, this cycle can make even small stressors feel overwhelming, fueling chronic anxiety and physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches, and fatigue.
What This Means for Families
Understanding this mind–body connection is empowering. It shows us that anxiety is not “just in the head.” It is also in the gut, in the nervous system, and in the child’s lifestyle environment. This is why a whole system approach to children and young people’s health and wellness is so vital. By restoring balance in the gut and nervous system, we can help young people rebuild resilience, reduce anxiety, and regain confidence in their daily lives.
The Holistic View: What Is Happening to Our Young People?
Children and teenagers today are showing:
- Chronic worry and restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping and regulating emotions
- Avoidance of school or social activities
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and stomach pain
At Global Health, we recognise that these symptoms are not isolated. They reflect deeper imbalances across mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
A Whole System Approach: Preventing and Healing Anxiety
At Global Health, we believe in treating the root causes of anxiety, not just the symptoms. By integrating functional medicine, nutrition, coaching, and emotional support, we help children and families build long-term resilience.
1. Restoring Balance to the Nervous System
Nutritional support through the My Wellbeing Solutions: Epigenetics & Nutritional Programme for Baby and Child, improved sleep hygiene, and breathwork techniques calm the overstimulated nervous system. Our practitioners also assess hormonal and metabolic factors through advanced testing.
2. Encouraging Play, Nature, and Creativity
Free play, outdoor time, and creative expression are vital for releasing emotions, strengthening resilience, and supporting brain development.
3. Building Emotional Literacy and Resilience
We guide families in teaching children how to understand and express their emotions. This equips them with tools for self-regulation and confidence.
4. Strengthening Family and Community Connections
Holistic health is about connection — to family, friends, culture, and community. Simple practices like shared meals, rituals, and open dialogue nurture a child’s sense of safety and belonging.
5. Integrating Body–Mind Support
Using tools such as hair analysis, blood analysis, and functional testing, we uncover underlying health factors that may contribute to anxiety. Combined with health coaching and personalised care, we offer a comprehensive pathway to wellness.
Global Health Is Leading the Way
At Global Health in Auckland, we are proud to be leading the way in holistic health for children and young people. Our unique whole system approach supports not only the child but also their family, school, and wider community, helping to create a foundation for lifelong resilience and wellbeing.
Taking the Next Step
If your family is facing challenges with anxiety, know that you are not alone. With the right holistic care, children and young people can rediscover calm, joy, and confidence — even in uncertain times.
✨ Book a consultation with Global Health today and discover how our whole system approach can support your child’s health and wellness.