follow suit, reports a study in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. Helpful books, websites and programs for both teens and adults can be found at SelfCompassion.org, operated by Dr. Kristin Neff, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin who was a pioneer in the concept.
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Engage them with creative activities. As teens can seek independence, making sure they spend quality time with the family is also important for their well-being, research shows. “Find ways to connect, converse and unwind together as a family,” advises Crissy Fishbane, of RaleighDurham, North Carolina, co-founder of HER Health Collective, an online community for mothers. “Teens need to see their parents engaging in self-care behaviors themselves, and it’s even better if you can engage in self-care as a family.” She suggests taking a virtual or outdoor yoga class
together, playing a board game, having sudoku competitions, learning deepbreathing techniques or starting a family book club.
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Encourage reaching out to help others. A study in the Journal of Adolescence suggests that altruistic behaviors, including large and small acts of kindness, may increase teens’ feelings of self-worth, especially if it involves helping strangers. In Poland, the more teens helped out others in a flood, the more supportive and proactive they became, another study found. Depending on their interests, teens may be drawn to local environmental, social justice, religious or political activities. DoSomething.org offers useful ideas and links, and environmental projects for teens can be found at EarthForce.com, SierraClub. com and GlobalClimateStrike.com. Ronica O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
Other Helpful Resources Making Friends with Yourself: A Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Teens and Young Adults: centerformsc.org/mscteens-adults Seven Expert Tips for Talking with Teens: ParentAndTeen. com/keep-teens-talking-learn-tolisten/tal How to Communicate with Your Teen Through Active Listening: Psy-Ed.com/wpblog/ communicate-with-teen The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain
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