10 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

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When teens are unhappy and can’t find a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to chemicals for solace. The often rough teenage years can take an emotional toll on children, sometimes even causing depression, so when teens are given a chance to take something to make them feel better, many can’t resist.

For example, some teens abuse prescription medicine to manage stress or regulate their lives. Sometimes they abuse prescription stimulants (used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to provide additional energy and the ability to focus when they’re studying or taking tests. Others are abusing prescription pain relievers and tranquilizers to cope with academic, social or emotional stress.*

We are sharing 10 Ways to Improve Your--and your teen's--Mental Health on our social media accounts. Please follow along with us on facebookinstagramor twitter.**


*Source: Partnership for Drug-free Kids
**Source: Prevention Action AllianceProject Aware Ohio

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Value Yourself

Treating yourself with kindness and respect is paramount. Do you talk to yourself the way you would a friend? If not, you should. Practice self-compassion, not self-sabotage. How? By practicing kindness, common humanity and mindfulness.

For ideas an inspiration read this article:

Treat yourself as you’d treat a good friend.

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Take Care of Your Body

When life gets busy or stressful, it's easy to prioritize events, work and commitments above taking care of yourself. Making a commitment to taking on healthier habits next year can have a far-reaching payoff: you’ll feel better in everything you do.

Read more:
http://ow.ly/bYLy50jVuMy

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Surround Yourself with Positive People

There are many reasons to surround yourself with positive people, including a better attitude, being happier, more generous and living longer. Read this article from LifeHack to learn 8 amazing things that happen when you surround yourself with positivity.

Read more:
http://ow.ly/RHcS30mXKem

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Set Realistic Goals

Many of us are going into the new year with the best intentions to take control of our money, health, or start a new hobby—but the reality is, many of us will fail to meet those goals.  

Learn how to set SMART goals for 2019: http://ow.ly/8f1330n1XXy

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Give of Yourself

Volunteering can have surprising benefits, read this fantastic article about why it's so important to give of ourselves. 

Read more: http://ow.ly/KPUV50jYq7V

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Learn How to Deal With Stress

There are countless ways to deal with stress. Talking with an understanding friend, exercise, yoga, and meditation are all great ways to ease stress and anxiety.

Sometimes these techniques may not be possible.

Learn how to create your own coping toolkit. http://ow.ly/pVSJ30n1VDW

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Quiet Your Mind

If you allow your brain to run a mile a minute without ever interjecting, it will only press on with the madness until you discover that your mind has become a prison.

However, you can actually free your mind, even if it seems impossible in the beginning.

Learn 5 techniques to quiet your mind: http://ow.ly/HMIo50jYr1Y 

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Break Up the Monotony

It's easy to get bored and frustrated by a life where each day is the same as the last. If you feel like you're stuck in a similar rut and are yearning for a change, here are five things you can do to break the monotonous routine and rejuvenate yourself: http://ow.ly/urZr50jYs1d

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Avoid Alcohol & Other Drugs

When teenagers are struggling with emotional problems, they often turn to alcohol or drug use to help them manage painful or difficult feelings. In this they are not different from adults.

But because adolescent brains are still developing, the results of teenage “self-medication” can be more immediately problematic.

In the short term, substance use can help alleviate unwanted mental health symptoms like hopelessness, anxiety, irritability and negative thoughts. But in the longer term it exacerbates them, and often ends in abuse or dependence. 

Learn more: http://ow.ly/5g3f50jYtTQ

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Ask For Help

We all go through challenges -- some you can see, most you can't, says Michele L. Sullivan. In a TEDtalk about perspective, Sullivan shares stories full of wit and wisdom and reminds us that we're all part of each other's support systems. http://ow.ly/y50j30n23Ic