Self Care for Teens

As parents, it’s our job to teach our children how to take care of themselves. Not to mention, teach them everything else in between. However, we should take special notice of ensuring they love themselves. In this day and age, kids are pushed to do so much that they can easily be overwhelmed and hard on themselves. Self care isn’t just for adults, it’s for children as well. Teens need to know it’s ok for them to slow down and give themselves a break once in a while. Of course, you don’t want them to use this as an excuse to be lazy, so it’s important to teach them the ins and outs of the concept. Here are a few tips on self care for teens.

Self-care for teens

Tell Them to Take Time

In order to help your son or daughter to slow down, sometimes you have to tell them to. In other words, if you notice they’re overwhelmed and needing a release or a break, make them put down the homework, project, whatever it is, and tell them to go relax. Suggest a bubble bath, music, reading, etc. Don’t suggest TV or video games as this often works the brain in the wrong direction. Don’t suggest hanging with friends either as they need time away from people and should spend time with themselves to clear out their brain.

Make “Me Time” Mandatory

Make a mandatory “me time” every week that’s a set time and day each week. The kids will get into the swing of it and will start enacting the “me time” moments when it comes time to do so without you having to say anything. I have noticed that the kids will look forward to this time and it helps them get through certain days better because they get what feels like a mini-vacation each week in order to release.

Help Them Find Their Thing

Sometimes, self care can be hard if you don’t know what you like or truly enjoy. This can often happen to teens who don’t know much of a life outside of school and accomplishments. Help your teen find their mojo or something they enjoy as an easy hobby that doesn’t involve major work or pressure.

Help Them Understand It’s OK

Some highly ambitious kids will find it very difficult to take self-care moments. This is because they feel like they’re wasting time or being irresponsible. Find a way to make their self-care time feel more relaxed. This often is overcome by helping them notice a hobby that has no clear end goal, just something they enjoy that has no real purpose. This will help their mind get off the pressure-filled tasks and on a task that makes tension melt.

Make a List

The hardest part for teens and adults alike when it comes to self care is coming up with ideas. Help your teen make a list of ideas or approved self care tactics they can go to. This way, they know what you as the parent would approve of and they can feel like it’s something a parent doesn’t have major control of because they don’t have to ask you every time they need a self care moment. They have a list they can follow and branch off of giving them a bit of freedom in their soul which can be liberating for some children.

Overall, you know your children the best. Guide them in a way you know would be beneficial to them since self care should be focused on just them and no one else. Keep guilt and pressure away from their self care because it’s meant for them to release, not worry.