Wellness is something that all adults and teens (and even children) can practice for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Practicing wellness is a great mental health tip for teens and six great opportunities to consider are:
1. Regular Exercise
Signing up for physical activity or exercising together as a family can be a great way to practice wellness. Hiking, going on bike rides, swimming – can keep exercise levels high and encourage exercise as a fun activity.
2. Create Healthy Routines
Creating healthy routines before bed and in the morning from when you are young can help teens prepare for the day and promote better sleep habits.
3. Learn How to Cook Healthy Meals
Help them learn how to cook healthy meals. This is a time in their lives when they can be left home alone, and knowing they can make proper meals can offer peace of mind for you and them. On their end, it means they can have healthy options both in your home and when they move on.
4. Be Mindful of Activities
When it comes to out of school activities, we hope for teens to find a happy medium between no activities and taking on too many. With some exceptions, we want them to have some interests and hobbies but not so many they get overloaded or stressed.
5. Get Involved with an Animal
The mental health benefits of dogs and the mental health benefits of owning a dog, in particular, are well known. It is for this reason that therapy dogs are becoming more common and universities and high schools alike are booking that puppy therapy visits. The emotional benefits of pet ownership are massive and can be critical for mental health in teenagers.
Suitable pets for mental health benefits include cats, dogs, and even horses. How does horse therapy work? Essentially it works the same reason why dogs and mental health go so well together. Being with an animal, taking care of the animal, working with the animal, and exercising with the animal all produce positive emotions and help teens get healthier.
The best pets for mental health are those that require your teen to take care of them with the added benefit of being able to bond. Pets are important for a person’s mental health because it provides responsibility, and therein lies the mental health benefits of pets. Animals with higher emotional intelligence also give back, which is why the answer to can dogs help with mental illness is always a resounding yes. Dogs are friends to humans and can help those with mental health by offering an unconditional bond that helps those with depression or anxiety get through their day and take care of their beloved furry friend.
6. Seek Out Professional Help When Needed
If you find your teen cannot find joy or interest even in activities that they used to love, then it is okay to seek out professional help. In fact, it can help in ways you never thought possible. With several levels of care available, there is help for your teen that can address their issues or mental health while helping you and them learn how to manage it holistically so that they can move forward on their own terms.
