• 5 Types of Self-Care for Teens | Kristi Hugstad | Episode 184

  • Self-care for teensStress. Climbing rates of anxiety. Huge pressure. This is life for teens and twenty somethings today. And our kids don’t have the tools they need to avoid it and create emotional wellness. A large part of creating emotional wellness is self-care for teens and twenty somethings—actually, for all of us. We all need self-care. If it’s something you don’t truly understand or make time for then it’s likely your child won’t either. Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler talks to author and recovery specialist Kristi Hugstad. They cover self-care for teenagers including what that looks like, what it does for our kids, and the science behind it.

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    A Favorite Quote from the Show:

    Just getting out in nature changes our brain chemistry.

    High Points From Our Conversation on Self-Care for Teens:

    Quote about self-care for teensAnxiety is insidious and pervasive, especially during these times with COVID-19. Proper self-care can help prevent and seriously reduce anxiety in our everyday lives.

    Self-care for teens (and parents) can do wonders for self-confidence.

    Self-care does not have to be elaborate, expensive, or complicated. Going on a vacation to the Bahamas or on a cruise can be a form of self-care, certainly; but for most of us, not a sustainable or sensible option.

    You do not need to feel guilty for taking care of yourself first or spoiling yourself every once in a while. Self-care is crucial for your health and wellbeing.

    Humans are complex creatures; thus, there are many different types of self-care:

      1. Physical self-care – caring for your body
        1. Moderate exercise – move your body every day
        2. Exercise stimulates both your body and your brain
        3. Endorphins help clear out anxiety and make you happier
      2. Emotional self-care – managing your emotional spectrum
        1. Emotional awareness and mindfulness
        2. Have healthy outlets for emotional build-up
      3. Social self-care – giving yourself needed socializing
        1. Humans are social animals; we need company to stay psychologically healthy
        2. Psyche is affected when social interaction is taken away
      4. Mental self-care – keeping your mind active
        1. Read, play checkers or chess, study or learn something new every day
      5. Financial self-care – not adding to your anxiety surrounding finances
        1. Quality over quantity
        2. Are you impulse-spending or emotionally spending instead of necessity-based spending?
        3. 3-second pause: think, do I really need this?

    Self-care is about keeping yourself balanced in all of the areas mentioned above. Being out of balance increases anxiety.

    Stop. Breathe. Get in the present moment.

    Growing teens are often over-filled with energy. Good physical self-care for teens should include regular exercise—running, cycling, hiking, yoga, weight-lifting, aerobics, etc.

    Make exercise a habit, but remember to give yourself breaks.

    Get creative. Incorporate exercise into everyday activities. For example, put on your running shoes to take out the trash, then walk around your neighborhood.

    Encourage your kids to find activities they enjoy; the more outdoor activities, the better. Just getting out in nature is therapeutic.

    Mental and emotional self-care for teens can often include venting. If, however, your teen is complaining because they don’t know what else to do, try to steer conversations towards solving the issue(s). Work to start conversations with getting to the root of the problem.

    Check your and your kids’ eating habits and work to get out of the cycle of sugar addiction. If any of your family likes to cook, start exploring healthier recipes; maybe make cooking a family activity a few times per week.

    Resources:

    Be You, Only Better: Real-Life Self-Care for Young Adults (and Everyone Else)

    Understanding And Managing Emotions To Create More Joy, Love, And Peace | Jude Bijou | Episode 103

    A Sneak Peek Inside The Teenage Mind | Valerie Grison-Alsop and Blanche Stora |  Episode 109

    Beneath the Surface – Understanding Depression In Teenagers | Kristi Hugstad | Episode 111

    How Personal And Financial Self-Care Can Set Your Teenager Up For Success | Christina Gatteri | Episode 134

    Our Guest Kristi Hugstad:

    Kristi Hugstad discusses self-care for teensKristi Hugstad is the author of Be You, Only Better: Real-Life Self-Care for Young Adults (And Everyone Else) and two other books. A certified grief recovery specialist and a grief and loss facilitator for addicts in recovery, Kristi frequently speaks at high schools.

    To learn more or connect with our guest visit https://www.thegriefgirl.com.

    Our Sponsors:

    iBme — Mindfulness courses and retreats for teens and adults iBme offers online and in-person retreats, mindfulness courses, and weekly meditations tailored for various communities of teens and young adults. Visit iBme.com to learn more and register for programs including in-person and online summer retreats.

    Sandy Fowler — Are you stressed? It’s hard to be the parent you want to be when you are stressed out and overwhelmed. And finding time to do anything about it can feel impossible. Get my complimentary lesson on stress-relief activities that take no time at sandyfowler.com/notime.

    Omio, a travel booking company that covers planes, trains, and buses. Use the code LISTENER5 to get 5% off through July 31st at https://omio.sjv.io/c/2544961/1078765/7385