The importance of self-care through the eyes of a teenager
As teenagers, we go through so many changes - from our school work increasing, starting casual jobs, shifts in our friendships groups and hormones raging.
We have so many changes that happen to our body, mind and circumstances. This is why it is so important to look after ourselves by implementing self-care.
This can mean anything from taking a break from school or work, doing something special for yourself, or just simply stopping and taking a breath.
If you are suffering from a mental illness or just feeling overwhelmed, sad, stressed or anxious, do not be afraid to ask for help.
It is totally normal to be feeling all or one of these things.
I know it is hard to ask for help or talk about it, but your friends and family are there to support you and guide you through difficult times. So don’t be afraid to speak up. And parents, don’t be afraid to ask your kids if they need help.
Asking for help doesn’t necessarily mean seeing a professional, although this can be really beneficial for some.
If you are feeling stressed, asking for help could look like asking your teacher for more explanation or a one on one tutorial.
Another way is getting your friends to check in on you or doing a fun activity together, or talking to your parents and explaining what you have going on and how you are feeling.
It’s also ok if you don’t want to or can’t talk about what is going on and how you’re feeling. I know I have trouble expressing how I am feeling sometimes. So if you don’t want to or can’t talk, still do something to help yourself by doing a self-care activity.
Self-care is such an important part in maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself. It also really helps to produce more positive feelings and boost your confidence.
Self-care is also great to remind yourself that your needs are important too and to look after yourself to ensure you stay healthy. Self-care can also help you to manage stress. Especially now more than ever you need to take care of yourself, as this year has been so different and chaotic at times.
The list below is some of the things I personally love to do for self-care, but if you love something different, then do that. Whatever works for you and feels good, do that!
- Watch a movie with the family
- Binge a TV show
- Read a book
- Have a sleep in
- Listen to your favourite music
- Take the dog for a walk
- Buy some new clothes
- Redo your closet (donate any clothes that you no longer want or fit you)
- Play with your animal
- Take a bath
- Go for a drive
Write out your own list of self-care activities so the next time you really need it, you can look back on the list and start doing one of them straight away.
The most important thing to remember is, if you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, sad or anxious, it is ok to feel this way and to ask for help.
If you are unable to ask for help from others, remember to help yourself in any way that you can. Keep reminding yourself that you are not the only person feeling or going through this. You are not alone!
You know yourself better than anyone else, so take care of yourself and do things that help you to feel better and always be kind to yourself because you are important.
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