Why Self-Care is Important For Your Teen’s Well-Being
By: Hannah Fillinger
Life as a teenager can sometimes feel overwhelming, with school, social life, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities competing for your time and attention. When life gets busy, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. This is where self-care comes in.
What Is Self-Care?
The term “self-care” has become popular across social media, but what does it actually mean? Self-care includes the things you do to support your mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. It can look different for everyone. When creating your own self-care routine, consider which practices help you feel your best. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Listen to your favorite playlist.
- Take a walk in nature.
- Journal your thoughts.
- Plan a DIY spa day.
- Take a break from social media.
- Spend time with people you care about.
- Practice mindfulness meditation.
- Read a book.
- Create a nighttime routine.
- Write a gratitude list.
Why Practice Self-Care?
The purpose of practicing self-care is to take small steps to improve or maintain your physical, emotional, social, and mental health. Teenagers are learning how to manage significant changes and challenges. Having tools in your toolbox for stressful moments can make difficult times easier to navigate.
How Do I Add Self-Care to My Routine?
Self-care is most effective when it becomes a habit, and habits are formed through repetition. Give yourself time to find a routine that works for you.
- Set aside time in your schedule for activities that help you feel good.
- Be open to adjusting your routine. An activity that works one week may not work as well the next, and that’s okay.
- Personalize your practice. If you choose activities you enjoy, you’re more likely to continue them.
- Reflect on your experience. What do you like about your self-care routine? What thoughts or feelings did your chosen activities bring up? Is there anything you’d like to change next time? Use these questions to adjust your routine as needed.
Small Steps Add Up
Self-care can play an important role in supporting your health and happiness. Adding these practices to your routine can give you more tools for handling the challenges life brings. Be patient with yourself as you build new habits; routines take time to develop. You deserve to feel happy, healthy, and at ease.
When Self-Care Isn’t Enough
Self-care is important, but sometimes outside support is needed. If anxiety, unusually high stress, or repetitive thoughts are interfering with daily life, a therapist can help you develop additional coping strategies. Elevate offers individual counseling for children and teens and teen therapy groups.
