There is an undeniable teen mental health crisis in the US. The root of it, while arguable, likely stems from excessive social media exposure as well as living in a high-pressure society with limitless expectations.
Concerningly, according to an American Psychological Association 2024 study, 70% of teens agree that anxiety and/or depression is a major issue amongst peers; A KFF poll suggests that 55% of the public agrees that there is a youth mental health crisis in the US.
So, how can teens actively work against this issue?
Many teens feel as though they don’t have time to take care of themselves or to take a break. A Cross River Therapy study finds that 45% of students feel school-related stress daily, while a Transforming Education statistic finds the same for 60% of students.
With pressure from extensive and excessive assignments and social and familial stressors and differing extracurriculars, this stress makes sense – and it makes sense why students don’t feel like they have enough time to mentally reset.
The idea of mentally resetting doesn’t even cross many teens’ minds.
Junior Andrea Ormsby notes, “I think that high schoolers always feel like they’re missing out or don’t have time to rest because resting is not normalized.”
Sophomore Leul Mengesha agrees, saying, “I don’t have time to take a break because I have football practice right after school.”
Luckily for all public schools across the United States, winter break is coming up soon! This two-week break is a perfect time to mentally check in and reset when students don’t have time for the challenge when school is in session.
Longer vacations like this improve mental health by essentially shifting people from fight or flight to rest and digest – essentially from chronic stress back to baseline. However, taking a long break won’t be mentally beneficial if it’s spent ‘bet rotting’.
Sleeping in and taking it slow is, but scrolling the day away isn’t. The constant and somewhat intense stimuli received from scrolling or watching TV is not mentally refreshing; instead the root of many mental health issues.
In order to properly mentally reset, teens need to spend intentional time practicing mindfulness, instituting physical activity, connecting with others, and decluttering their living space.
Practicing mindfulness can manifest simply – or not so simply – prioritizing rest and sleep. According to CFG Health Network in The Mental Reset: Small Habits That Make a Big Difference, “Consistent, high-quality sleep is one of the most important contributors to mental health.”
Additionally, intentional movement can vastly improve mental health. The positive endorphins released from even a simple 15-minute walk actively fight against depression and anxiety by enhancing mood and calming nerves.
Most importantly, and arguably most challenging, reducing digital exposure is vital when mentally resetting. The overload of stimuli received from constant notifications or even the conversations and colors from a favorite TV show makes it harder to relax.
Small habits such as turning off unnecessary notifications or putting one’s phone away an hour before bedtime are easy and beneficial ways to do this, allowing for mental clarity and a reset.
Holiday breaks are supposed to rejuvenate, refresh, and prepare students to persevere through stressors without burnout. Make sure to utilize the break to do so!