Madelyn Furstenau ‘26, Editor-in-Chief
Now more than ever, teenagers are living absolutely jam-packed, stressful lives. Most teens have considerably difficult class schedules, are trying to get into competitive universities and compete with their classmates. Some have at least one or two extracurricular activities, and others have even more. On top of that, teens have to maintain a healthy and fulfilling social calendar, and with all of this in mind, self-care is often put on the back burner. However, it is incredibly important to ensure that you are taking time out of your busy schedule to do things that reduce stress and encourage leisure time—preferably without staring at a screen—rather than spending every waking hour of the day crossing items off of a to-do list. So, if this sounds like you, consider these five simple ways to carve out time for yourself in a healthy, fun way:
Exercise:
Regular exercise is not only beneficial for your physical health, but can also have a huge positive impact on your mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by releasing feel-good endorphins and taking your mind off of any stressors or worries in your life. Additionally, exercise contributes to a heightened self-esteem, naturally increasing overall confidence. It also opens the door for increased social interaction, especially if you have a workout buddy who can help keep you company and accountable in your workout journey. Working out can also be a healthy coping mechanism, rather than turning to bad habits or overthinking a certain situation. Senior Bella Menzer said, “I’ve been going to the gym almost daily for the last year, and it’s my favorite part of the day. It’s been really nice to get into a routine, and it keeps me in shape too.” Whether you decide to get a membership at a local gym, find workouts that can be done without equipment at home, or something as simple as swimming, walking, or running every day, there is something for everyone when it comes to exercise, and picking something that you actually look forward to doing every day will help with consistency.
Reading:
Reading is a fun and entertaining way to slow down and let your mind wander elsewhere for a little while. When our own lives become too much to handle, picking up a book and living in someone else’s world is the perfect way to healthily distract ourselves from the chaos of being a high school student. The best thing about reading is that there are so many different genres to choose from, and it does not even require picking up a physical book if that is not your thing. Audiobooks are available on Audible, Spotify, Barnes & Noble, and countless other platforms. If you are an avid reader but just do not have the energy to stare at pages for a prolonged period, pop in some earbuds, lay down, and relax while listening to an audiobook. This is a perfect way to decompress and reboot your brain, and is a better alternative method of entertainment to staring at a screen for hours on end.
Shopping:
Yes, retail therapy is absolutely real and a great pastime that can be done individually or with a few friends, depending on your social battery. There is something so exhilarating about making a new purchase for yourself, whether it is clothes, skin or body care products, room decorations, or even new stationery. Grabbing a fun drink beforehand and spending a few hours browsing the aisles of several stores is a perfect form of self care, even if you do not end up buying anything. If your paycheck has not hit yet but you still have the urge to stop at Target, you can do so without spending any money. Window shopping can be just as fun as actual shopping, especially when your bank account is in need of recovery. Junior Bella Bracali said, “I love shopping with my friends. It’s so fun to grab Starbucks before a shopping trip and just walk around for a while.”
Cooking/Baking:
You do not have to be a master chef or baker to try out a fun new recipe you see while scrolling through social media. Being able to cook and bake are basic life skills that also service as a facet for creativity and stress relief. If not preparing a delicious dish or good for yourself, it can also be a great way to give back to your community as police and fire stations are often very accepting of food donations as a gesture of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. You can also distribute your creations to neighbors, teachers, family members, and friends. Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are perfect examples of platforms harboring thousands of recipes for beginners to experts. So, instead of going out to eat or buying a sweet treat from the store, spend some relaxing time creating something new on your own by following a recipe and discover all of the delicious possibilities.
Crafts:
Doing arts and crafts helps get the flow of creativity moving while also lowering cortisol levels, which helps decrease stress and boost dopamine levels. Crafts induce mindfulness and help keep you grounded and focused on one thing, which can be extremely beneficial when it feels like your thoughts are spiraling out of control. There is such a wide variety of options when it comes to crafting, and all possibilities are highly customizable. You can head to Michaels and buy an assortment of beads and string to make bracelets, but these materials can also be used to create personalized keychains. A highly popular activity on social media right now is bedazzling, which is tedious, but surprisingly calming. All it requires is some superglue and a bedazzling kit that can be found on Amazon or TikTok shop, with an array of colors that can be used on essentially any item you want to add some sparkle to. Senior Ella Helminiak said, “I saw the bedazzling trend on TikTok and immediately bought my own kit. It’s so relaxing, I just put on a show to watch and work on a mini project for a few hours to clear my mind.”
Overall, there are so many ways to slow your life down and focus on improving your mental health. Although being a teenager can be extremely demanding and exhausting at times, there are many strategies to prioritize self care and relaxation that are brain-stimulating, cost-effective, and delicious. Instead of letting stress and anxiety eat you alive, try some of these methods to see how they improve your daily routine, and overall mental health and well-being.
Lyon Life 