11 Self-Care Tips for Teens and Young Adults

Written By:

Written By:

self care tips for teens and young adults 1

STRESS โ€“ Teens and young adults today areย more stressed, anxious, depressed, and lonely than everย โ€“ at least in the United States. At first glance, itโ€™s hard to wrap your head around this fact. This post covers self-care tips for teens and young adults in stress.

No one really knows the root cause, but it seems to be a perfect storm of several factors. While many experts have pointed to digital and social media,ย the data just donโ€™t support thisย as the sole or even most important source of the problem.ย 

stress is caused by being here but wanting to be there

Additional forces plaguing Gen Z and college-age Millennialsย include worries about their future, fromย climate changeย to economic and job uncertainty; concerns about image; academic pressures to meet or exceed perfection; and being over-scheduled with demands to โ€œdo it allโ€ โ€“ school, community service, sports, arts, family, and religious activities, etc. Others are lured by the endless array of compelling on-demand TV series to binge-watch, or video games to play โ€“ often alone.

Children Who Grow Up in Stressful Environments Tend To Overthink

Gen Z and Millennials are also becoming more aware of mental health challenges, particularly their ownย anxietyย andย depression. And, most scary is that depression andย suicideย are on the rise and have reached an all-time high.

I donโ€™t intend here to propose any grand solutions to these problems. But given the situation, letโ€™s consider how young folks can take care of themselves and cope with the many stresses they face.

Here are some things that can be included in a toolbox to promote well-being. Many of these are in the Clay Center Videos onย Middle School,ย High School,ย andย College Self-Careย .

Here are 11 tools for Self-Care for teens and young adults:

1. Carve Out Time.ย 

This is the basic pre-requisite for just about all the ways to take of yourself. You need time, and it has to be part of a daily routine. Itโ€™s not always easy to set time aside with everything going on in life, but learning to carve it into your schedule is necessary. If you start now, it will become a habit. Many of the activities below donโ€™t require a lot of time โ€“ some only take up 15-20 minutes in your day. Itโ€™s the regularity that counts.

Read Whatโ€™s Your Coping Style? How to Manage Stress the Right Way

2.ย Meditation.ย 

This is one of the best self-care activities. Weโ€™ve come a long way from meditation being considered hocus pocus.ย Mindful meditationย has proven to change the structure and function of the brain, and itโ€™s a fabulous way to promote relaxation while reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. It can be learned in person with an expert, or online (there are plenty of YouTube instructional videos or smartphone apps). This is something you can do anytime in any place, whenever you need it!

Meditation as self-care practice can change the brainโ€™s structure in just 8 weeks

Read Mindfulness Meditation For Panic Disorder Relief

3. Yoga.ย 

Yoga and other types of Eastern methods of self-care activity involve stretching, improving flexibility, connecting mind and body โ€“ all of which are helpful for stress reduction and wellness, and have been used extensively for thousands of years. The best way to learn Yoga is through a studio, but you can also do so from videos online.

Read The Ultimate Guide to the Best Types of Yoga Poses

4. Exercise.ย 

Working out comes in many forms. Thereโ€™s training for strength, endurance, and aerobic activity (getting your heart beat up). But simply walking 2 miles a day is great self-care exercise โ€“ plus it gets you outside! Exercise not only gets you physically fit, but itโ€™s a natural way to help decrease depression and anxiety.

5. Get Some Sleep.ย 

Donโ€™t Skip on sleep. Sleep is more important than homework.

Easier said than done, but sleep deprivation is detrimental to a personโ€™s thinking, and their physical and emotional state. Most young people need eight to nine hours of restful sleep to function at their best. Itโ€™s not easy fitting this into a schedule filled with academic, social and recreational activities, but it sure has a big payoff.

Read 13 Terrifying Health Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Try to have asย regular a sleep scheduleย as possible, and youโ€™ll generally find that your โ€œbiological clockโ€ will remember when to fall asleep and wake up.

6. Creative Expression.ย 

Choose a creative outlet to convey your thoughts and feelings. This could be journaling, writing poetry, painting or drawing, doing photography, dancing, or playing music. The key here isย channeling your emotional state through an art form. While some may choose to do this seriously and take lessons, self-taught artists of all kinds also get the job done. And, donโ€™t strive for perfection! Simply immersing yourself in creative arts as self-care activity can ward off adverse thoughts and feelings.

7. Play With A Pet.ย 

If you are lucky and can have a pet, there may beย few better ways to foster self-careย . If you have one, you know what I mean. Cuddling with a pet, taking care of them, and feeling their unconditional love is something we rarely experience on such a consistent basis.

Dogs can see the sadness in humans and initiate cuddling

8. Meet And Communicate With Friends.ย 

Research has foundย that meeting with peers and talking about whatโ€™s going on with you โ€” including past events youโ€™re still processing โ€” preventsย burnoutย and promotes well-being. Group connections are so important for fosteringย resilienceย and releasing chemicals in the brain that support well-being. And the activities donโ€™t have to be just talking.

Things like doing art projects together, playing with slime, or gaming (ย Dungeons and Dragonsย is having a huge comeback!) all work. And despite the pressure to have huge numbers of โ€œfriendsโ€ or โ€œfollowers,โ€ it only takes a few special friends to make a big difference in your life.

9. Appreciate Nature.ย 

Thereโ€™s a reason we treasure our state and national parks, waterways, and beaches. Think of the times you enjoyed a great sunrise or sunset, took a scenic hike, rode your bike in a park, played in the snow, or just took a walk around your neighborhood. Remember how it felt? There is something to our relationship with the outdoors that makes us feel good if we can allow ourselves a few minutes not to rush or be disturbed by our ring tones.

10. Turn Off Smart Phones (At Least For Part Of The Day).ย 

Itโ€™s hard. But really,ย you donโ€™t need it on constantly, as if itโ€™s stitched to your side. You can take a break, even for just part of the day. There may be some withdrawal or anxiety about not being right there for what you think is critical but just stop and think. How many texts, Instagram stories, or other digital communications do you need to see immediately? Very few! Once you try it, you may actually find it refreshing to have a break from the constant notifications.

Read Our Brains on Smartphones, (Un)social media, and Our Mental Health

11. Do Something For Someone Else.ย 

Our brains are wired for giving. In fact, the chemicals released by the brain during the process ofย giving is far more rewarding than when we receive gifts. Joining in even small local efforts, such as in community centers, soup kitchens, geriatric life centers, childrenโ€™s hospitals or after-school programs โ€“ all foster the feeling (and reality) that you are making a positive impact on another personโ€™s life.

Bottom line: In all times, we need ways to help maintain our ability to cope. Self-care techniques are fundamental for preventing stress before it strikes, and are fundamental for sustaining our equilibrium during hard times.

Please share this article with anyone who you may think will find it valuable and helpful.


This article originally appeared on and was written by the author (Dr. Gene Beresin) for theย Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds.
Republished with permission. 
self-care tips for teens and young adults pinop

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Mel Robbinsโ€™ Viral โ€˜Let Them Theoryโ€™: Can It Really Transform Your Life?

Mel Robbinsโ€™ Viral โ€˜Let Them Theoryโ€™: Can It Really Transform Your Life?

The Let Them theory psychology is a simple yet powerful self help mantra made popular by Mel Robbins; a reminder that you canโ€™t control other peopleโ€™s actions, only your own reactions.

Is there anything more frustrating than other people? You try to control situations, influence decisions, and shape outcomes, but people keep doing whatever they want. Itโ€™s exhausting, isnโ€™t it?

You find yourself overanalyzing why someone didnโ€™t text back, why a coworker got a promotion instead of you, or why your friend refuses to leave that toxic relationship. You waste time, energy, and peace of mind obsessing over things that, frankly, arenโ€™t yours to control.

Instead of over analyzing, stressing, or trying to change things beyond your control, you simply let it be.

Up Next

The Script is Yours: 7 Ways To Be The Leading Lady In Your Own Life

How To Be A Leading Lady Of Your Own Life? Best Ways

Every so often, a movie line sticks with you. In The Holiday, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) has a pivotal realization: โ€œYouโ€™re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life!โ€ This hits home for women in their 20s and 30s, a time when life can feel like a balancing act of dreams, relationships, and self-doubt. 

But what if you decided to step into the spotlight of your own story? Learn how to be the leading lady in your own life and reclaim center stage!

Up Next

Kind Words, Weird Feels: The Psychology of Compliments

Psychology of Compliments Ways Accept It Well

Receiving praise can feel tricky, but why are they so hard to accept? Dive into the fascinating psychology of compliments and discover how accepting it transforms confidence and connections.

Why we resist kind words and simple strategies to accept them fully.

Key points

Compliments can create discomfort when they clash with our self-perception and internal narratives.

Social conditioning often teaches us to deflect praise, making compliments feel unnatural or undeserved.

Embracing compliments boosts confidence, builds meaningful connections, and fosters personal growth.

Up Next

Discovering The Family Within You

Discover The Family Within You Important Points To Know

Did you know your mind has a family within you? There are “parts” known as sub-personalities that need care, and a wise Self ready to guide and heal. Let’s explore to learn more!

IFS founder Richard Schwartz on the children โ€” and the parents โ€” in our minds.

Key points

Our minds are naturally made up of “parts” or sub-personalities.

We also have a Self, a center of calm, clarity, compassion, and connectedness.

The Self has the ability to parent and heal the other parts.

Spirituality has negatively construed o

Up Next

Toxic Guilt Holding You Back? 5 Ways to Let It Go

Toxic Guilt Holding You Back? Ways to Let It Go

Toxic guilt can be an overwhelming feeling that holds you back, but learning how to release toxic guilt is essential for emotional healing. By understanding toxic guilt and addressing it head-on, you can break free from its grip and move toward a healthier mindset.

Guilt is an adaptive, natural response that stabilizes relationships. It is good to apologize and mean it when we have committed an offense.

Some think that the most enlightened among us can do without guilt; after thinking something through, a simple, heartfelt apology would do and replace the nagging feeling of having done something wrong. But this is discounting feelings.

Feelings are significantly faster than thoughts (See

Up Next

10 Liberating Ways to Heal Your Shame

How To Heal Your Shame? Liberating Things You Can Do

Shame can feel like an invisible weight, holding you back from living your best life. But what if you could break free? How to heal your shame? These 10 powerful steps will help you heal your shame, rediscover your confidence, and step into a brighter, more authentic you.

Shame is a complex emotion that can significantly impact our mental health and well-being. If you’re looking for ways to heal shame, you can try many different approaches.

Here are some ways you can heal this wound.

10 Liberating Ways to Heal Your Shame

1. Practice self-compassion

Up Next

How To Get Through A Bad Day: 16 Tips To Turn Things Around

How to Get Through a Bad Day? Best Tips For You

Once in a while we all get โ€˜that feelingโ€™ where everything feels off. You spill your coffee, miss the bus, get called out at work or school, youโ€™re wondering if the universe is out to get you. Having a bad day happens to everyone, but the good news is, it doesnโ€™t have to derail your entire mood or productivity. Learn how to get through a bad day below!

Here are 15 realistic tips to help you get through when youโ€™re having a bad day, whether at work, school, or just trying to survive until bedtime, you just need practical strategies to survive.

Read More Here: Monday Morning Inspiration: 8 Simple Tips to Make Your Monday