Help ensure the mental wellbeing of your children and teens by teaching them healthy habits, such as getting enough restful sleep and physical activity. Also teach them ways to manage stress through mindfulness meditation practices as well as building meaningful, respectful relationships.
Teenagers typically experience emotional ups and downs; however, if these changes become drastic or persistent, this could indicate a mental health disorder.
1. Listen more than you talk.
Effective communication is vital to developing emotional wellbeing, and one way of encouraging it is to listen more than speak when communicating with children and teens. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to express themselves freely without feeling judged; this allows them to open up about their thoughts and emotions freely without fear of judgment or rejection.
As an active listener, try reflecting back what they just said or their feelings; this shows them you care and understand their point of view. Remember they don’t necessarily need advice – just someone to listen!
As part of your relationship, it is also crucial that you check in frequently and observe changes in their behavior, so they can develop effective coping mechanisms in difficult situations. Sharing personal stories about mental illness may also help normalize it for your loved one and enable them to open up about their struggles more openly – this will strengthen trust between both of you, leading them to become more honest with each other in future interactions.
2. Let them take the lead.
Parents want their kids and teens to feel heard when sharing their issues, especially those experiencing mental health difficulties. Listening attentively while avoiding dismissing or giving advice when discussing feelings may be best done through open-ended questions that require more than an immediate yes/no answer.
Encourage them to become good friends by helping them reach out to their peers face-to-face, on the phone, or via video chats. Also teach them how to identify signs of mental health problems – such as giving away items they love, talking about wanting to commit suicide, or cutting themselves – which might indicate mental illness; make sure they know they can talk to an adult such as a teacher or counselor about these concerns.
Be proactive by attending school events such as open houses and parent-teacher conferences, which allow you to observe your child’s behaviors and emotions in an encouraging setting. Also ensure your child gets enough sleep and eating healthily – both are great ways to reduce stress and improve mood!
3. Be curious.
An inquisitive mindset involves seeking information, viewing situations in shades of gray instead of black and white, considering all sides of an issue, and questioning everything around us. Being curious can help improve emotional regulation as well as foster empathy for oneself and others.
Curiosity can also help transform uncertainty into an opportunity. Studies have demonstrated that people who take an interest in understanding themselves and the world tend to be less reactive, better comprehending other people’s emotions as well.
Curiosity can help children and teenagers to remain happy, healthy and resilient; this trait is especially crucial when it comes to relationships. Encourage your child to try new activities such as taking a class or doing something unusual – or simply talking more with friends and family while keeping an open mind – or have mental health check-ins at regular intervals such as discussing their day on the ride home or asking how they’re feeling during dinner time – the main thing is listening and validating their feelings.
4. Encourage them to be active in their community.
Encourage your kids and teenagers to explore their communities by getting involved with service projects, whether that means working at a homeless shelter or cleaning up local parks. Such experiences help your children understand other people’s challenges while cultivating compassion they will carry throughout their lives.
Help them discover an activity that allows them to express their creative talents, like art, music, writing or sports. Participation in these activities allows them to interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and political viewpoints – broadening perspectives while potentially providing stress-reducing benefits.
Make sure your kids know about healthy coping mechanisms like physical activity and healthy eating habits to help them feel their best. Also ensure they have a supportive network in place and know it’s okay to express themselves freely about feelings. Be available anytime they want someone to talk with; ask open-ended questions that encourage more sharing; if they exhibit signs of depression or anxiety make sure they know it’s normal and they need professional assistance if necessary.
5. Encourage self-expression.
Sleep, exercise, healthy food choices and journaling all play an integral part in maintaining strong emotional wellness. Engaging your kids openly in talking about their emotions while encouraging creative self-expression such as art or music can also help promote mental wellness.
Supporting healthy friendships, avoiding toxic relationships and learning how to negotiate conflict are all effective methods of building emotional resilience in teens. If they’re facing ongoing difficulty, helping them understand what’s causing it and encouraging them to try something different may be key in finding relief.
When your teen is suffering, all they want is someone to listen without judgment and understand what’s going on for them. Active listening can help them sort through their thoughts and emotions as well as establish trusting relationships with you. If their struggles become more severe, provide them with safe space where they can seek professional advice if needed. Furthermore, discussing ways of handling difficult situations together is also highly beneficial.
