Your teen years come with a lot – loads of changes in the brain and body, trying to figure out who you are and who you aren’t, the stress of thinking about future career and choices. All these things can supercharge your anxiety, the feeling of fear or worry. Everyone experiences it, especially before an important event like a test or a project presentation. Your palms may get sweaty, your heartbeat gets faster, or your stomach can feel a bit funny.
But the good news is that there are always things you can do to cope with your anxiety! One of the most important things is self-care. Self-care is anything that you do to check in and improve your mental health. With so many things going on between school, family, and friends, it’s important to prioritise yourself from time to time so that you can recognise and address your needs. This will help nurture your overall health and happiness in the long run!
Self-care includes a wide range of activities, but remember what works well for one person may not for another. It’s important to give yourself some time to try different things and see what works for your unique self. Some things you can consider are:
1. Physical self-care
This includes getting regular exercise (even if it’s just a 30 minute walk down the park connector!), sleeping consistently, and practising good hygiene. As busy as your schedule gets, try to maintain 6-7 hours of sleep a night and take your time in the shower to decompress and feel refreshed for the day.
2. Emotional self-care
Engage in activities that you enjoy or relaxes you! What is it that you like or find interesting? If you’re not sure, browse some videos on TikTok or Youtube to see quick fun things that people are doing and try it yourself.
3. Mental self-care
Life isn’t perfect and neither are people. So, remember to be kind to yourself as you navigate all the challenges thrown at you, whether in school, at home, or with your friends. Practice self-acceptance and self-compassion. Even when you make a mistake or mess up, think about what you have learned from the situation and what you can do differently the next time.
4. Social self-care
When’s the last time you hung out with your friends or family and truly enjoyed yourself? Whether it’s dinner, cycling at ECP, or going to the movies, remember to check in with others once in a while! You don’t need to see them everyday (it could be once a week or even twice a month) but it can help you feel recharged, especially after a prolonged time spent alone.
Self-care is important in our day-to-day lives, but if you feel like your anxiety is persistently taunting you, consider counselling. Professional counsellors have the expertise and experience in treating people with anxiety-related problems and disorders. They have knowledge in evidence-based therapeutic approaches like Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is very helpful in alleviating anxiety symptoms.
Find a counsellor near you for guidance and support, from us at wwyd. or other professionals in Singapore.
