Just as you take care of your physical health through exercise and nutrition, taking care of your mental health is also essential. If you’re ever feeling burnt out, and even before it escalates to that, follow some of these tips. Find what works for you.
As parents and caregivers, it’s important you take care of your mental health so you can provide support to your youth as well.
- Get enough sleep. Not enough sleep can interfere with mood, impair your academic performance, learning and memory.
- Take a social media break. It can affect your self-esteem and relationships by constantly comparing yourself to others.
- Exercise! Depression and anxiety symptoms often improve with exercise. It releases those feel-good endorphins and can take your mind off your worries. Exercise is a healthy coping strategy.
- Music and mental health. It can help you cope with your emotions. Listening to music elevates your mood and helps you relax. Sharing playlists with your friends, or meeting like-minded people creates social connections.
- Don’t compare yourself with others. It may look great on social media, but remind yourself that people only share what they want others to see.
- Journalling. Writing down your feelings can help you work out what might be troubling you.
Feeling anxious? Try Box Breathing.
- Breathe for 4 seconds on the in-breath
- Hold for 4 seconds
- Let your breath out for 4 seconds
- Hold again for 4 seconds
Mindfulness and Meditation
How stress can be normal, necessary and helpful to us.
Ways you can promote mental wellness in your youth
- Have conversations early and often.
- Observe changes in behaviour.
- If you notice behavioural changes, ask.
- Once in conversation, get more specific.
- Consult others.
- Practice self-care.
Back to Mental Health
Connect.
Manage.
Reach Out.
