Top Tips to Boost Your Teenager's Mental Health
It can be tough being a teenager. You’re navigating all sorts of new emotions and experiences while trying to fit in and figure out who you are. For some teenagers, this can be really tough – and that’s where mental health comes in. Mental health is just as important as physical health, which we should all work on throughout our lives. So if your teenager is struggling with mental health, here are some top tips to help boost their mood!
# 1. Encourage your teenager to get plenty of exercise
We have all heard this one, but it’s true and works! Exercise is a great way to help your mental health as it allows for the release of endorphins (otherwise known as the “feel-good” hormone). A good amount of exercise has also been shown to improve one’s body image!
# 2. Help them develop a strong support network of friends and family members
Humans are social beings, so it’s no wonder that people often become depressed when they are isolated from other people. Having a strong support network of friends and family members is often crucial in helping someone out of a mental health crisis. But how can I help my teen develop a support network? Some great ways include joining a church group, sports club, community group, or extracurricular activities!
# 3. Teach them how to deal with stress in a healthy way
We have all heard this one, but it’s true and works! Exercise is a great way to help your mental health as it allows for the release of endorphins (otherwise known as the “feel-good” hormone). A good amount of exercise has also been shown to improve one’s body image!
# 4. Encourage them to seek help if they're feeling down or depressed
If you see your teen feeling depressed or down, there are several ways to help them out. Suggest talking to a trusted friend or family member or seeing a therapist or counselor. They can offer support and guidance through whatever they’re going through. It’s important not to push your teen into talking; let them open up when they are ready. Make sure they know they are not alone; knowing someone is there for them whenever they need it is a real lifeline!
# 5. Promote positive self-talk and body image
Teens often feel a lot of pressure to look a certain way. Social media makes it easy for teens to compare themselves to others and think they are not good enough. This can lead to negative self-talk and a negative body image. It’s essential as parents to promote positive self-talk and a positive body image. They can do this by surrounding themselves with positive people, filling their social media feeds with positive images, and speaking kindly to themselves. When teens have a positive self-image, they are more likely to be confident and successful in all areas of their life.
# 6. Let them know that it's okay to be themselves - there's no need to fit into a certain mold!
As teens start exploring their identity, they need to know that they don’t have to fit into a certain mold. There is no one right way to be, and the most important thing is to be authentic to themselves. This can be difficult in a world that often tells teens that they need to conform to be accepted. But teens need to know that they are perfect just the way they are. They should never feel like they need to change who they are to fit in with their peers or be liked by others. When teens can be their true selves, they can develop into happy and successful adults.
Let your teen be their authentic self and encourage them to follow their dreams, speak openly about their issues, stay active, and surround themselves with people who want to see them succeed as much as you do!
