Most teens are going to experience stress. Commons sources include pressure put on oneself or from others around performance such as getting good grades and excelling in activities such as sports. It can be challenging to “do it all” and manage responsibilities at home while also trying to have a social life. In addition, peer pressure, family conflict, and the impact of other stressful or traumatic experiences can all take a toll on mental health.
While it is not always possible to eliminate all sources of stress, it is possible to find some calm and learn ways to effectively manage stress.
Allina Health has an awesome free online resource- Change to Chill to help teens build skills to cope with stress and live more balanced lives, including guided imagery and mindfulness. CARE Counseling’s vault of interventions also includes invaluable resources for mental health for children, teens, families, adults, and couples.
I’d like to share one of my favorite ways to relax with stress by using guided imagery. Example from CARE’s vault includes a forest visualization, mountain meditation, and mind and body as a lake meditation which can be found here: https://care-clinics.com/care-vault/
I love how the senses are engaged—using one’s imagination to visualize positive and relaxing images to calm the mind.
Here is a basic overview of guided imagery, with the steps listed below:
https://www.changetochill.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Guided_Imagery_Step-by-Step.pdf
Step 1: Find a Quiet and Comfortable Place.
Any private space where one can relax and be in a comfortable position without distraction is ideal.
Step 2: Close Your Eyes & Breathe Deeply Until You Start to Feel More at Ease.
Step 3: Imagine Your Happy Place.
What is your happy place? Perhaps it is a place that is familiar to you or a place you have never been to before. It can be real or imaginary—the choice is yours!
Step 4: Add the Details.
Think about the five senses. What do you hear, feel, see, and smell in your happy place?
Step 5: Hold on to This Awesome Feeling!
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You.
