How to improve your teen’s mental health — both in mind and body?

It is important that throughout life we take the time to look after both our minds and our bodies. There are many helpful tips and tricks out there that can help maintain your health and well-being and it’s worth encouraging your teens to discover and develop these skills as early as possible to set them up for life.

Of course, everyone is different and just because you enjoy one tip, it doesn’t mean another person will have the same result. Just take the time to encourage young people to find the tips that work best for them, and they will soon start to feel better. So, if you are in need of some health and well-being tips for your teenager, then keep on reading to find out more.

Create An Exercise Routine

One great tip that could help with health and well-being is to create an exercise routine. Exercise is a wonderful thing that people can do to boost their mental health as when we exercise, our body releases endorphins which make us feel happy. Creating their own exercise routine is a great way to create enthusiasm and find new things they like that will ultimately help them in their health and wellbeing journey.

Why not try out some different exercises together and see which ones they enjoy doing the most. Going to the gym is certainly one option, but it is not the only choice in terms of exercise. A lot of people, understandably, feel a bit anxious about going to the gym, so if this is the case, encourage exercise at home. There are plenty of at-home exercises that are perfect for people just starting off, so perhaps start researching some exercises you can both do from the comfort of your home. If you wanted, you could even buy some at-home gym equipment so, you can fully get in the zone of exercising.

Talk To Someone

Another great tip that could improve health and well-being is to open up and talk to someone. The sooner this skill is taught, the better.  While talking to friends is important, teenagers aren’t able to offer the expert advice that is sometimes required. One option is to start therapy for your teen.

Talking every week with a therapist is one of the best things you can do for them as it will allow them to properly open up with someone outside the family home and also receive professional advice, which in turn can give you peace of mind.

The good thing about living in the digital age is that finding therapy has never been easier, and there are plenty of online psychiatrists that are available at the click of a button. A good place to look would be Talkiatry’s online psychiatry service as they offer online psychiatric help for a multitude of different reasons, so you know your loved ones will be in safe hands.

Fuel Your Body

Ensuring their body is fueled with nutrients is another great way to boost health and well-being. Food plays such an important role in our lives, particularly for growing kids and young adults and often people do not realize that they are feeling unwell because they haven’t been eating the right food or haven’t been hydrating their bodies enough.

Make sure that your family is eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables and that you are all drinking enough water. If you find you struggle to eat the right foods due to busy schedules and fussy palates, it could be helpful to start batch cooking your favorite meals at home. Not only will this be cheaper than getting take-out, but you also get the opportunity to teach your teenagers how to cook some delicious recipes, lessons that will be invaluable later in life. You could also include the whole family in meal prepping, so every Sunday, you choose and create the food you are going to eat during the week. This means you do not have to think about what lunches you’re going to have to make as they are already made for you.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is a super important part of maintaining the health and well-being of teenagers. Sleep plays a vital role in our lives particularly for growing bodies and teenagers still studying, which is why if they do not get regular, good quality sleep, they can end up feeling unwell and even depressed. When we sleep, our brain sorts through all the important memories of the day, so therefore if you are not getting enough good sleep, it can have a detrimental impact on every area of your teen’s life.

Getting good quality sleep can be difficult, but it may be helpful if you try and motivate them to create a routine. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day can help get the brain into a routine. This means when they do try and go to bed, their brain knows that it is bedtime, so it shuts down a lot quicker. Additionally, changing bed sheets more frequently or investing in some good quality pillows can help them drift off at night.

Ultimately, you will have to exercise patience in helping your teenager develop a good sleep pattern. Be conscious of the fact that their bodies are changing and as they try to navigate the world around them, the best thing you can do is to let them know you are there for them through all the trials they are, and will continue to, face.

###

If you’re concerned about your teen’s mental health and you’ve exhausted your local resources, contact us to learn more about the benefits of residential treatment for your family.

Images provided by Pexels.