Make Summer a Time to Thrive
The summer months remind a lot of us of sunny days at the pool, family vacations, and a lot of time with friends. Even with all the positives, summer may bring about significant challenges for teenagers' mental health. A lot of teenagers find that their unstructured summer days can lead to poor nutrition and sleeping patterns, social media overuse, feelings of isolation, and excessive electronic usage. According to a research study conducted by Common Sense Media, children between the ages of 8 and 12 use screens for an average of 5.5 hours every day, while teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 use them for an average of 8.75 hours each day (Moyer, 2022). This number of hours tends to rise in the summertime, which is worrisome considering studies have linked youth social media use to higher rates of anxiety and depression (Doucleff, 2023).
Keep in mind that during the summer, small steps can have a significant impact on promoting mental health. Let's prioritize our teenagers' mental well-being while creating an encouraging environment to help them thrive. Here are some tips to help our teens to thrive during the summer.
Social Connections: Arrange getting together with friends or family and participate in group activities to promote social connections. Connecting with other people can improve mental health and decrease feelings of loneliness.
Local Volunteer Opportunities: For teenagers, volunteering in the summer can be a rewarding experience. It offers adolescents the opportunity to grow personally and to learn important life skills along with allowing them to give back to the community.
Physical Activity: During the summer months, encourage teenagers to participate in physical activity. Sleep and controlling one's emotions are two things that exercise helps with and are important for overall wellness.
Summer programs: that emphasize personal growth. These programs can help adolescents gain adaptability, emotional self-control, and a positive self-image—skills that will influence their decisions as they continue to develop.
Encourage Engaging Activities: Encouraging teenagers to participate in valuable hobbies like performing arts, creativity, or spending time outdoors and with nature. These interactions enhance productive learning and mental health.
Guardian Involvement: The summer season offers an opportunity for guardians to rebuild relationships with their kids. You could get closer to them, hear their concerns, and learn more about their experience. Keeping ways to communicate is essential for their mental health. Take time and have a 1:1 with your teen 20-30 minutes before bedtime. Go into their room and just listen to them without distractions.
Throughout the summer, little actions can have a major impact on mental health. Let's work on prioritizing our teenagers' emotional well-being while creating a nurturing atmosphere for them. Summertime is a great opportunity to help our teens reduce stress and learn how to thrive.
Written By: Cassandra Stroop, LSW Senior Specialist-Community Engagement Adapt For Life
If you or someone you love is experiencing a crisis online, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling/texting 988
References
I Doucleff, Michaeleen. (2023, April 25). The Truth About Teens, Social Media and the Mental Health Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/04/25/1171773181/social-media-teens-mental-health
Moyer, Melinda Wenner. (2022, March 24). Kids as Young as 8 Are Using Social Media More Than Ever, Study Finds. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/well/family/child-social-media-use.html