4 Mental Health Practices and Resources That Every Teenager Should Know
As school reopens, and the world re-opens again, acing the transition at this point is important for the kids, and especially the teens. 2 years ago, our kids had to accommodate huge changes in their lives- from transforming their rooms and besides into makeshift schools, meeting friends on a screen, and taking tests on Zoom schools- children had to deal with a lot of changes! Some children reached their teenage years at home, probably with a virtual celebration, and a low-key party at home. Now that they are venturing out to school, back to the same routine, going out for extra-curricular activities, and just dealing with the massive hormonal and bodily changes, teenagers need some support with their mental health and should have some daily practices that support this transition back to school.
If you are a parent thinking about including some mental health practices and are curious about resources for your teenagers, keep reading!
Journaling- One of the best mental health practices for teenagers is to journal and document their moods, emotions, and experiences. As a teenager, one goes through a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that just get saturated sitting in the brain without having an outlet creating fertile grounds for outbursts and a negative spiral. Journaling is a great outlet for teens to write about their personal journey, helping them to actually express their thoughts in a safe space without the fear of judgment. These days journals come in exciting teen aesthetics and styles to motivate young adolescents to document the bumpy ride that is adolescence.
Some journals that we love-
The Five Minute Journal- Get it here!
My Little Big Day- Get it here!
One Page A Day- Get it here!
Exercise– Physical activity, playing a sport, and accelerating your heart rate are just perfect practices for your brain to release the natural feel-good hormone- dopamine! Exercise and being active are must-include activities for any teenager as they get back to school. Enrolling them in a team sport, and encouraging them to catch up on a rainy-day football session with friends are just perfect ways for your teenager to manage their emotions in an active way. Exercise, in fact, has proven to improve mental health by reducing instances of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders in teenagers. Additionally, with the rising rates of obesity in urban areas, exercise and physical activity are important to prevent any physiological problems later on in your teen’s life!
Support Groups- Sometimes as parents, we are unable to understand the generation and individual struggles our children face on a daily basis. As parents, we can be staunch supporters and cheerleaders for our growing teens, but they might not be able to relate to us or talk openly to us due to reservations and personal reasons. Show your support and respect for your teen’s privacy by enrolling them in teen support groups where your child can find their personal safe space. Support groups are excellent spaces for young teens to share their struggles, vulnerabilities, and emotional problems with like-minded teens their own age, who can relate to their problems. These groups are moderated by a mental health professional who makes sure that your teen’s problems are heard and understood in the best way possible.
Some support groups that you can check out-
Aware Mental Health The Tribe The Mind Clan NAMI
Sleep- We do not stress this enough but sleep is the most important mental health practice that your teen can follow- especially in this transition to full-time school. Sleep is the time when the body resets its internal mechanisms, different cells get to work, our neural networks and processes are enriched, and vital organs in the body get the time to grow and heal. Poor quality of sleep is directly linked to irritable moods, anxiety, and low energy during school and work time. If your teen is going back to a physical school, take some time to reset their sleep time and routine. Set a proper bedtime and remove all screens and digital tablets away during these precious 8 hours. Work with your teen to help them wind down with some meditative playlists and narration by apps like Headspace and Calm.
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