A Teen’s Guide to Mental Wellness

If you’re an adult or teen, dealing with anxiety, sadness, and other challenges, you’re not alone. It’s the beginning of a New Year, so why not let this be YOUR year of Teen Mental Wellness? We work out our bodies, so why not our brains!

It’s normal to feel down sometimes, but if you feel that you’re down most of the time, it’s good to be open and talk about your feelings.

There is so much going on in your life and may feel pressure from;

Social Media: Pressure from social media where body image is rammed down your throat, and self-esteem takes a knock. It’s easy to compare yourself to celebrities and influencers that are portraying unrealistic beauty standards. This can lead to body image issues and low self-esteem, impacting mental and emotional well-being.
Academic pressure: Balancing schoolwork, and any activities after school can feel too much for some teens.
Identity exploration and social acceptance: Figuring out who you are, and fitting in with peers can be confusing and anxiety-provoking.
Almost half of teens: A 2022 Pew Research Center study, found that 46% of US teens (ages 13-17) had experienced some form of online harassment or bullying which greatly impacts teen mental wellness. Laws and policies around cyberbullying are constantly evolving and victims of cyberbullying may pursue civil lawsuits against the perpetrator for damages, like emotional distress or reputational harm, depending on the specific circumstances.
All 50 states have anti-bullying laws in place: However, the effectiveness of these policies varies from state to state and even from school to school.

What’s the good news?

People are talking openly about mental health now, which means less stigma and more support. So maybe there is a positive spin that we can take out of the pandemic. It’s like the pandemic opened up a conversation about feelings.

Here’s how you can take care of yourself:

Talk to someone you trust: Tell a friend, family member, or teacher how you’re feeling. You may be surprised by just how many people deal with anxiety and stress on a daily basis.
Do things that make you feel good: Take a walk, try meditation (if that’s daunting to you, trying laying on your bed or sitting in a chair, taking deep breaths in and out, listening to your breath. It sounds silly, but that’s the beginning of learning how to meditate; think yoga breaths! Breathe in for three counts through your nose, and out for three. If that’s not your thing why not hang out with friends, or even treat yourself to something fun? Retail therapy comes to my mind!
Get help if you need it: Mental health professionals like therapists and helplines can give you personalized tips and tools to deal with tough emotions.

Where are we located?

You are our top priority at Vedas. In The Woodlands, Texas, our North Houston office is only minutes from I-45 (Houston’s North Freeway). So easy to find, easy to get to! We offer you a free consultation for personalized information on Teen Mental Wellness. Come get to know your practitioner, Dr. Nangrani, our board-certified Medical Director. She is a true artist! Please call our office to schedule your consultation at (281) 298-5476. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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