Teens are under stress and often do not have coping skills. Self care can help them learn to treat themselves with compassion which may reduce their feelings of frustration and anxiety, improve their mood, and enhance emotional resiliency.
While getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising are important for teens to practice, they need more. This is why they need to incorporate deliberate activities into their lives via self-care for teens
Pampering
Whether it’s a spa day, weekend getaway, or lunch with a friend, pampering is an important way to restore one’s mental and emotional well-being. These activities can help teens develop a sense of compassion for themselves, which may reduce stress and increase their overall happiness.
Eating a healthier diet is also an excellent form of self care. Studies have shown that eating more fruits, vegetables and lean protein can improve one’s mood.
Exercise is another great way to improve physical health. It helps relieves stress, boosts endorphins, and gives people a healthy glow. Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk or going for a run.
Self-reflection
The end goal of self-reflection is to paint a clear picture of who you are. Most people have parts of themselves that they don’t understand, potential that they aren’t utilizing, or feelings of happiness or unhappiness that they are unaware of.
Reflecting on your own behavior and understanding the causes behind it will help you make more informed decisions and improve your life. It can also allow you to identify limiting beliefs and replace them with more positive ones. This will help you achieve greater emotional resiliency and overall wellness. This is an especially important practice for teens.
Fitness classes
A regular exercise routine is essential for mental health. Exercise helps to release endorphins, or the ‘happy hormones’, that can help alleviate stress and depression. Whether it’s a yoga class, or simply taking a daily walk, it’s a great way to de-stress and stay healthy.
Teenagers are often under a lot of pressure, so it’s important that they learn the skills to manage stress and anxiety. Encourage them to set goals and intentions for the year ahead by creating a vision board or journaling. This will help them to plan with a positive mindset and to feel more motivated about the future.
Playing with pets
Playing with pets can be a great way to practice self-care. It’s a simple activity that can help to relieve stress and boost moods. Even if it’s just chasing a cat around the house or playing with a ball with your Labrador, this can be beneficial for both you and your dog!
Another great way to practice self-care is to exercise. Whether it’s a quick jog or a yoga class, this can be an excellent way to improve mental health. Additionally, a healthy diet can also make a big difference in mood. Encourage your teens to take advantage of their summer freedom and embrace healthy lifestyle choices.
Listening to music
Whether it’s to relax the mind, energize the body or inspire the heart, listening to music can have multiple benefits. Music can lift spirits, soothe emotions, and even reduce pain.
For teenagers, it can also be a way to feel their sense of agency (the belief that they can influence their own functioning and environment). This is especially important for youth experiencing stress or who are redefinining their self-image.
Listening to music is a great way for teens to express themselves and share their feelings with others. Showing an interest in their musical taste is a great way for parents to connect with their teen and have a meaningful conversation.
Journaling
Taking time to shut off their phones and focus on writing down their thoughts in a journal can be an exciting and therapeutic experience for teens. They can write stream of consciousness, draw or doodle freely, and explore where their thoughts lead them.
This practice allows them to create a coherent narrative of the events that happen in their lives and understand how they impact their own self-image. It also increases their emotional intelligence or EQ.
Unfortunately, many teens avoid seeking psychological treatment because of the stigma surrounding mental health and counseling. Clinically based guided journals like Put Your Feelings Here help ease them into the process by presenting insight-oriented prompts in creative and engaging ways.
