While the phrase self-care is everywhere these days, that was definitely not the case a few decades ago. People would often think taking time for themselves was selfish and even a waste of time because they connected their worth with how busy their schedule was. So, how to help a teen cope better and stress less?

Reducing Stress With Self-Care

Feeling stressed, burnt out, or overwhelmed is something that most people feel, but it is especially prevalent in young people and even more so among teens. It leads to neglecting self-care because self-care is often seen as a last resort when the final crash is imminent, and a change has to occur. Most people have to understand that practicing self-care regularly will keep them energized and help them deal with pressures much better. In other words, self-care is not some emergency fix to use to get back on track when things are going wrong, but it is a useful tool for everyday life.

Modeling the necessity of self-care to teens is crucial, especially when they seem to be feeling more stress and pressure than ever before. A modern teen has to deal with everything, from trying to fit in to navigating their future and managing friendships. It’s a lot to get all at once, and mental health is often at risk. So, one of the best ways for teens to handle difficult situations is regular self-care.

Working Out Releases Endorphins

When a teen starts exploring self-care, it becomes important to remember that the practice doesn’t have to cost money or be elaborate. It can easily be DIY and requires nothing but some time and intention. Self-care is not a one size fits all deal. What works for one teen may not apply to all, and different activities may have a better effect depending on the person in question. The important thing is to discover something a teen enjoys and focus on that.

There are many self-care techniques that can help with a teen’s stress and exhaustion. Moving around, dancing, and working out are often useful practices because they encourage the person to do something they love and do it regularly. Movement gets people physically fit and is a natural way to decrease stress. It also tells the body to release endorphins, which are happy hormones that make people feel more positive.

Sleeping Reduces Stress

Getting some sleep is essential for good brain function and maintaining mental health. While it may be challenging for teens to get good-quality sleep, focusing on eight to nine hours of restful sleep can help them battle stress and function better. While fitting this into a schedule dominated by social, academic, and recreational activities may be hard, it definitely has a big payoff.

Another good practice to combat stress includes focusing on creative expression with painting, drawing, dancing, playing music, coloring, and other such activities. Simply being creative can ward off many negative thoughts and feelings. So does meeting up with friends who make a big difference in a teen’s life and exposure to nature, like visiting parks and hiking through the wilderness.

While most people, and not just teenagers, need a way to maintain their ability to cope, teens can have a harder time learning self-care techniques, so helping them out during hard times is also a good idea.

Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino had a hard time with debt from a large student loan of $23,000. She was no different than many people in the States who struggle to find a profitable enough job that will allow them to pay off every last cent. However, she decided she wasn’t going to sit around and wait for a miracle. She made a plan that aided her in paying off the entire amount, and she wants to share her story!

A Strong Woman With a Tough Childhood

Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino grew up with two other siblings and her mother in Los Angeles. She recalls that her mother was not the best saver, which motivated her to get her first job at 16 – she wanted to become responsible and save better. Later in life, she started an Instagram platform – Wealth Para Todos, where she shared her story. She and her husband struggled to pay off her student debt, and she had to cut down a lot. But she managed and wanted to help others with her experience!

Talk About Debt With Children

The emphasis Paulino is trying to focus on is that including children in a conversation about money is immensely helpful in the long run. She says that even from an earlier stage, parents should write down lists of things to buy in the store and ask kids to participate in choosing the item with the best price. She explains that such an activity will be engaging and teach them to look at money as a tool.

Invest and Save for Retirement

Paulino discusses four simple steps to help you save more and be wiser about your finances. You should choose a reputable broker, pick the right plan, invest the money and choose the correct assets. This, according to her, will help further your knowledge and ability to save more money. She also points out that picking a retirement plan will stabilize your financial state in the future – take care of yourself, and then you’ll be able to take care of the children!

Paulina had many struggles throughout her life, including an illness that prevented her from being the educator she wanted to be. But as she stepped back on her feet, she chose not to sit around — she was going to take life into her hands and become better at saving for herself and her family. She knew that paying off her large debt was just the beginning – it was time to stop living on cutbacks and get better with her finances!