3 Strategies for Teens to Maintain a Healthy Mind and Body
written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Psychology Today
Let’s be real: being a teenager isn’t easy. You’re balancing schoolwork, friendships, family expectations, and figuring out who you are, all while trying to keep up with the fast-paced world around you. On top of that, social media, the pressure to succeed, and even world events can all weigh your mood down. It’s no surprise that many teens today are struggling with anxiety, stress, and emotional fatigue.
Know what? All teens are struggling with similar types of teen things, so please know that you’re not alone.
And, on top of that, there are things that you can actively do to take care of your mental health. This doesn’t mean that you need to have all the answers or that you’re going to feel “happy” most of the time. Taking care of your mental health is about learning how to manage tough emotions, build resilience, and know when to reach out. Here are three strategies you can start using.
Talk About It
As a teen, you may often feel like you need to “figure it out” on your own and that you somehow “should” have the answers. That’s just not true. Talking about your feelings, whether you’re stressed, sad, anxious, or just unsure about how to handle a situation, is another way for you to connect to a parent, friend, family member, or therapist. You will undoubtedly realize that you are not alone in how you feel and that your feelings and thoughts are valid.
Sometimes, just hearing your own thoughts out loud takes them out of your head and makes them tangible. Making them tangible helps you to find potential solutions or ideas for how to manage something that needs to be managed. If you’re not ready to talk to another person, journaling or texting another person is also helpful. The key thing is to talk about it and not let it fester inside your body and your mind.
Not sure how to get a conversation started? Try something like, “I have a lot of thoughts in my head. Can you help me figure them out?”
Take Digital Breaks
If you’re anything like my own teens, you have your phone in hand almost 24-7. Your phones are basically glued to your hands. Constant exposure to social media, news updates, and even text messages can take a real toll on your mind. I’m not suggesting that you quit social media, but rather create some time when your phone is not with you and you engage in an electronics-free activity or time for your mind and body to quiet down.