Teen mental well-being is so important to us – here are some great resources to teach your teen how to stay mindful when in situations of stress or anxiety.
AppsMost mobile mental health apps are aimed toward helping individuals cope with symptoms of anxiety. Here are some suggested apps you may find helpful:
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) website also offers a more extensive list of apps, as well as reviews by mental health professionals: https://www.adaa.org/finding-help/mobile-apps
Some activities that can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being include:
Interested in learning more? Here are some books on the topic:
Even practicing 5 minutes of mindfulness or meditation a day can help you relax. The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley provides short and accessible guided mindfulness meditation practices you can do on your own. These can be found online at: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/
Here are some highlighted practices:
Some recommended books on mindfulness:
For more helpful mindfulness and meditation resources such as videos, published studies, organizations, and books, visit the Greater Good website: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/
If you would like to share mindfulness practices with your child or a youngster you know, exercises such as mindful coloring, mindfulness games, and mindful movement are also outlined on the Greater Good website.
Caring for your body is equally as important as caring for your mind. This includes eating well and getting enough sleep (though we all know how difficult that can be!).
The American Heart Association website offers advice on how to make healthier food choices and also provides recipes and a nutrition guide: https://www.heart.org/
The Greater Good website also has information on the emerging practice of mindful eating.
Tips to help you get a good night’s rest:
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) website has a section dedicated to helping parents and teens learn about mental wellness, where to find help, and how to talk to doctors and health care providers.
The NYC Teen Health website can help parents and teens learn about ways to deal with peer pressure, bullying, dating violence, depression, and anger.
The Born This Way Foundation, began by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, was founded in 2012 with the goal of creating a kinder and braver world. They seek to launch programs that empower young people. The website also provides resources encouraging self-care, community outreach, and mental health.
In light of growing public awareness of this issue, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) website has articles dedicated to suicide prevention and resources.