Ways to Stay Mentally Healthy as a Teen

You exercise to stay fit and eat well to keep your body healthy—doesn’t it make sense that you should be taking care of your brain, too? It can be easy to forget about our mental health, but it’s important to make sure your mind is taken care of just as well as your body. Here are a few tips for staying mentally happy and healthy as a teenager.

Make Time for Fun

Having fun is vital to maintaining a healthy mind. Every day, set aside some time to enjoy yourself. Go for a bike ride, spend time with friends or watch a favorite movie.

Photo by ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser

Plan Ahead and Take Breaks

One way to deal with stress is to tackle a problem or potential issue incrementally. Take a little time every day to ask yourself how you’re feeling, how you’re going to deal with a stressor and come up with a game plan. If something is stressing you out, like a school assignment, it’s okay to take a break and come back later.Photo by porschelinn

Be Active, Eat Healthy

Being active and eating well are great ways to reduce stress and feel good about yourself. A healthy body is one step closer to a healthy mind.Photo by emiliokuffer

Get Some Sleep

Teens need eight to 10 hours of sleep a night to keep their brains sharp and bodies healthy. Stress can cause insomnia (inability to sleep) or irregular sleep patterns, but creating a bedtime routine to wind down from the day can help you fall asleep at an appropriate time. It also doesn’t hurt to wake up at the same time every morning—it won’t take long for your body to get a hang of the new schedule.Photo by AnEternalGoldenBraid

Spend Time with Loved Ones

Surround yourself with positive people and you’ll find it much easier to be positive yourself. Make time for friends and family and be sure to share some laughs.

Photo by Dave_B_

Feature Image: Teddy Kelley