School work, sports, extracurriculars, friends, relationships, home lives – these are all things that nearly every high school student has to learn to balance. All of these things can easily become overwhelming for a teenager, and in the worst case scenario, it could negatively impact their mental health if they don’t know how to manage everything correctly.
According to the CDC, “more than 42% of students felt persistently sad or hopeless, and 29% experienced poor mental health.” While 42% and 29% may seem like small numbers, in the grand scheme of things, they’re huge. The mental health crisis for students has been growing exponentially throughout the past couple of years, especially since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the main reasons students begin to suffer mentally is school work, which can become very hard to stay on top of, especially when involved with sports or other extracurriculars. To help support your well-being, it’s important to develop a routine and avoid procrastination. Something that can help big-time is decreasing your screen-time. Phones and computers are very addictive, and before you know it, you’ve spent hours mindlessly scrolling through TikTok instead of being productive. Another helpful tip is to make a to-do list. It can be helpful to see everything you need to do laid out on a slip of paper or a note on your phone, and being able to check off everything once you’re done leaves you with a huge sense of accomplishment.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy sleeping schedule. Teenagers need at least eight hours a night, but most don’t even get six. Turning off your phone before sleeping every night can help your mind slow down, letting you fall asleep faster while obtaining a much more satisfying night of rest. A more rested mind is a much calmer, clearer, and focused one.
The main and most important tip is to know that it is okay to reach out for help. Talking to a friend, family member, counselor, or going even further and getting professional help can make a big difference. There is absolutely no shame in it at all—it’s important to do what you know is best for you, and do what you know will make you happier in the long run. A great on-campus resource is the Wellness Center, a place students can go to to destress and engage in multiple activities to help regulate emotions.
Putting your happiness and mental health first can work wonders; it’ll reflect on your performance in school, your relationships, and your every-day life. Practicing and carrying out these skills is especially important during your adolescence. These are skills and coping mechanisms that will give you a solid foundation and understanding of your mental health—skills that you will carry on into adulthood and for the rest of your life.
