Habits to Boost Mental Health for Kids and Teens Going Back to School
Healthy Habits to Boost Mental Health for Kids and Teens Going Back to School
As summer winds down and kids prepare to head back to school, it can be both an exciting and stressful time for families. For students, transitioning from the laid-back summer days to a structured school routine can affect their mental health. Juggling academic pressures, social dynamics, and extracurricular activities can feel overwhelming for children and teens. By encouraging a few healthy habits, parents can help boost their kids' mental well-being and make this transition smoother.
Here are some essential tips to help kids and teens foster good mental health as they return to school:
During the summer, bedtimes often become more flexible. However, quality sleep is critical for kids’ mental and emotional health. A well-rested mind is better able to focus, manage stress, and regulate emotions.
Actionable tips:
Exercise is not only great for physical health, but it also has a profound effect on mental well-being. Engaging in regular physical activity boosts mood, reduces anxiety, and helps improve focus and concentration in school.
Actionable tips:
With the increased pressure from schoolwork and social expectations, kids and teens may experience anxiety and stress. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help them stay grounded and improve emotional regulation.
Actionable tips:
Open lines of communication between parents and children are essential for fostering mental health. Kids and teens often find it challenging to express their feelings, especially when they’re under pressure. Regular check-ins allow them to feel heard and supported.
Actionable tips:
A well-balanced diet is not just important for physical health; it also plays a crucial role in mental well-being. Nutritious food helps regulate mood and energy levels and provides the brain with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
Actionable tips:
As kids return to school, rekindling friendships or making new friends can significantly impact their sense of belonging and emotional health. Positive social connections are key to self-esteem and resilience.
Actionable tips:
With the rise of social media and online gaming, it’s important to monitor screen time. While technology can be a great way to stay connected, excessive screen time can lead to anxiety, isolation, and poor sleep quality, especially for teens.
Actionable tips:
As school demands pile up, feeling unorganized can increase stress and anxiety. Helping kids develop strong organizational skills will not only improve their academic performance but also support their mental health.
Actionable tips:
It’s easy to fall into the trap of over-scheduling kids with activities. While staying busy can be beneficial, it’s crucial that children and teens have time to relax and recharge.
Actionable tips:
Children and teens often learn by observing the adults in their lives. By modeling healthy habits, parents and caregivers can encourage similar behaviors in their kids.
Actionable tips:
Returning to school after the summer can feel overwhelming, but by adopting these healthy habits, parents and kids can work together to ease the transition. Encouraging regular sleep, exercise, and open communication, while fostering social connections and mindfulness, can significantly boost mental health and create a positive school year ahead.
By focusing on these areas, kids and teens will be better equipped to handle academic pressures, social challenges, and any stressors that come their way. Mental health is just as important as academic success—nurturing both sets the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling school year.
Patrick Cleveland, LMFT
Clinical Director
Daybreak Counseling Center
We provide psychotherapy, counseling, and mental health services for children, teens, adults, and couples at our offices in Long Beach and Cerritos. We also provide convenient online video based tele-therapy sessions throughout all of California that can be conducted in the comfort of your home in accordance with your schedule. We work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and anxiety to parenting support, couples therapy and personal growth work. In a comfortable, confidential, and supportive atmosphere, we offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of our clients individual needs to help them attain the personal growth they’re striving to accomplish. Call us today at 562-566-4257 and we would be happy to help you set up and appointment and answer any questions you have.
Healthy Habits to Boost Mental Health for Kids and Teens Going Back to School
As summer winds down and kids prepare to head back to school, it can be both an exciting and stressful time for families. For students, transitioning from the laid-back summer days to a structured school routine can affect their mental health. Juggling academic pressures, social dynamics, and extracurricular activities can feel overwhelming for children and teens. By encouraging a few healthy habits, parents can help boost their kids' mental well-being and make this transition smoother.
Here are some essential tips to help kids and teens foster good mental health as they return to school:
During the summer, bedtimes often become more flexible. However, quality sleep is critical for kids’ mental and emotional health. A well-rested mind is better able to focus, manage stress, and regulate emotions.
Actionable tips:
Exercise is not only great for physical health, but it also has a profound effect on mental well-being. Engaging in regular physical activity boosts mood, reduces anxiety, and helps improve focus and concentration in school.
Actionable tips:
With the increased pressure from schoolwork and social expectations, kids and teens may experience anxiety and stress. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help them stay grounded and improve emotional regulation.
Actionable tips:
Open lines of communication between parents and children are essential for fostering mental health. Kids and teens often find it challenging to express their feelings, especially when they’re under pressure. Regular check-ins allow them to feel heard and supported.
Actionable tips:
A well-balanced diet is not just important for physical health; it also plays a crucial role in mental well-being. Nutritious food helps regulate mood and energy levels and provides the brain with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
Actionable tips:
As kids return to school, rekindling friendships or making new friends can significantly impact their sense of belonging and emotional health. Positive social connections are key to self-esteem and resilience.
Actionable tips:
With the rise of social media and online gaming, it’s important to monitor screen time. While technology can be a great way to stay connected, excessive screen time can lead to anxiety, isolation, and poor sleep quality, especially for teens.
Actionable tips:
As school demands pile up, feeling unorganized can increase stress and anxiety. Helping kids develop strong organizational skills will not only improve their academic performance but also support their mental health.
Actionable tips:
It’s easy to fall into the trap of over-scheduling kids with activities. While staying busy can be beneficial, it’s crucial that children and teens have time to relax and recharge.
Actionable tips:
Children and teens often learn by observing the adults in their lives. By modeling healthy habits, parents and caregivers can encourage similar behaviors in their kids.
Actionable tips:
Returning to school after the summer can feel overwhelming, but by adopting these healthy habits, parents and kids can work together to ease the transition. Encouraging regular sleep, exercise, and open communication, while fostering social connections and mindfulness, can significantly boost mental health and create a positive school year ahead.
By focusing on these areas, kids and teens will be better equipped to handle academic pressures, social challenges, and any stressors that come their way. Mental health is just as important as academic success—nurturing both sets the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling school year.
Patrick Cleveland, LMFT
Clinical Director
Daybreak Counseling Center
We provide psychotherapy, counseling, and mental health services for children, teens, adults, and couples at our offices in Long Beach and Cerritos. We also provide convenient online video based tele-therapy sessions throughout all of California that can be conducted in the comfort of your home in accordance with your schedule. We work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and anxiety to parenting support, couples therapy and personal growth work. In a comfortable, confidential, and supportive atmosphere, we offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of our clients individual needs to help them attain the personal growth they’re striving to accomplish. Call us today at 562-566-4257 and we would be happy to help you set up and appointment and answer any questions you have.
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17315 Studebaker Rd. #209,
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