Mental Health for Teens: A Teen's Perspective of Therapy, Social Media Stress & Coping Strategies
By Ree Saha
Mental health can be perceived as a state of mind which impacts many aspects of our lives. Having positive mental health allows us to cope with adversity and gain resilience. Everyone can be affected by mental health, and as teenagers, it can be even more complicated. There are a myriad of factors which can influence our mental health, such as school, friends, family, and social media. As I am a teenager myself, it is often difficult to cope with everything happening around me, and I find myself getting caught up in the smaller details. I start to become overwhelmed, which can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, something that many teenagers today deal with. This is the reason why countless teenagers experience adolescent anxiety, and the first step to achieve better mental health for us all, is to admit that stress, exhaustion, and everything else that we are feeling, is more than okay.
Teenagers Perspective of Therapy
Mental health is a topic that we often discuss, whether it be through our peers, schools, or social media. However, many of us do not fully understand the importance of mental health and emotional well being. Many teenagers will assume that therapy is only for those who are experiencing something “serious”, and that therapy is not for them. We will tell ourselves that the problems and challenges that we face are not important enough. In reality, therapy is for everyone, and not to just talk about problems, but to understand ourselves better, manage everyday stress, and create healthy relationships with those around us. It is a safe space, in which we are given the opportunity to speak our minds, without the fear of being judged. Having access to a safe space can make all the difference, and have a profound impact on how we express feelings, and view ourselves.
A stereotype that many teenagers will often associate therapy with, is that it is meant to “fix you”. However, that is far from the truth. As teenagers, we are still learning more about our emotions and who we are. Therapy can guide us to do this in healthy ways, allowing for better mental health. For example, the way we approach and manage small problems that we face throughout our day can influence how we cope with larger scale problems in the future. Therapy can help us, especially as teenagers, to recognize our emotions, understand why we feel them, and how we can deal with them. It presents us with an opportunity to build resilience, gain perspective, and develop healthy strategies to manage stress, creating a foundation for the rest of our lives.
Social Media Effects and Boundaries for Teenagers
Social media and its presence in our society today, is one of the most influential factors for adolescent anxiety. While yes, it has many benefits, it has many downfalls as well. Social media can create pressure and standards we feel obligated to reach. As teenagers, we are often insecure, and when we see others we deem to be “better”, we begin to try to be more like them, no matter the cost. Doing this causes unhealthy comparison and as a result, we become more insecure. The truth is, social media is rarely reality. It is important to remember that people only show others the parts in their lives that they want others to see, and they never show the aspects in which they struggle. When we put ourselves down and compare, it leads to anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and exhaustion. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”.
Setting boundaries, especially with social media, plays a key role in maintaining positive mental health, and lowering stress. Examples of healthy and useful boundaries could be to take breaks and manage screen time, avoid scrolling late at night, or building a feed promoting positivity rather than unrealistic standards. Nurturing these boundaries can lead to a healthier lifestyle and mindset.
Healthy Coping Strategies for Teenagers
As teenagers, figuring out ways to cope with stress in a healthy way can be difficult. However, learning how to do so is a significant part in maintaining positive mental health. While there is not a single strategy that helps everyone, there are habits and mindsets we can develop that can help. Here are some effective techniques:
Exercise & Healthy Diets
Being physically healthy and active can lead to better mental health. Exercising regularly releases endorphins, a known mood booster. It can also help lower stress because it decreases our bodies cortisol levels. Maintaining a healthy diet allows our bodies to receive key nutrients, contributing to brain function and regulation of neurotransmitters such as; serotonin and dopamine. All resulting in better moods, healthier sleeping patterns, and overall feelings of happiness.
Setting Boundaries
Creating boundaries with relationships, social media, and ourselves is beneficial to our mental health. It is important to maintain a healthy relationship with the things that surround us, because it allows us to control how they affect us, and in return, control our own mental health. Setting these boundaries can help lower stress levels, increase satisfaction in life, and allow us to gain confidence.
Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is defined to be a belief that our abilities and talents can grow. It is looking at the cup half full, and focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. Nurturing a growth mindset helps increase resilience, better attitude in the face of adversity, and create healthy coping strategies. Having a growth mindset early on in life, allows for a build up of mental strength for future challenges, making it easier to deal with.
Open Up to Someone
Opening up to someone helps us lighten the load while also building trust and resiliency. When we consider outside opinions, we gain new perspectives, leading to growth. Being able to talk to someone can give us a sense of security and comfort, leading to less stress. Not only does it help us, but it strengthens the relationship and allows them to understand us on a deeper level.
Good Sleep Routine
A good sleep routine can help reduce stress, improve emotional responses, boost cognitive functions, and enhance mental resilience. Some ways to create a good sleep routine can be avoiding stimulants (screens, heavy meals, intense exercise) before bedtime, being consistent with sleeping patterns, and creating a comfortable space.
Many people will assume that nurturing your mental health is a sign of weakness, but it is the exact opposite. It is a sign of empowerment and it shows responsibility. It means you are taking the right step to take care of your wellbeing. Trying to understand ourselves better is a lengthy and complicated process, but there is no shame in it, and there is only pride, satisfaction, and joy.
Conclusion
Being a teenager today can be difficult, but it is also a gift. It is a time in our lives where we can learn more about ourselves, and create habits that we will carry on in the future. If we take this opportunity in the right way, it can create paths for us that we never deemed to have. When we prioritize our mental health, set boundaries with social media, create healthy coping strategies, and understand our emotions, we end up building a foundation for resilience and strength. Doing this doesn’t necessarily mean we have to have everything figured out, but we should know that what we are feeling is valid, and that we are not alone. The most important part in this process is taking small steps everyday towards understanding yourself and remembering that mental health is a vital aspect in shaping our lives, and that it is worth caring for.
Written by Ree Saha. Ree is a full-time student, a volunteer at Assured Psychology, the Calgary Public Library, and Youth Central. She is passionate about psychology, neuroscience, and advocating for mental health. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks, watching volleyball games, spending time with friends and family, and reading a good book, one of her favourites is “The Alchemist”, by Paulo Coelho. Ree has aspirations to one day become a psychologist to help others with their mental health, and continue to positively impact the lives of those around her.
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