80+ Self-Care Activities for Teens
Self-care refers to the deliberate activities we do in order to meet our physical, emotional, and mental health needs. When we hear about self-care, it’s usually in reference to adults. However, let’s face it, adolescents are under a tremendous amount of pressure. They can also benefit from practicing regular self-care!
Many adolescents are drowning in school assignments and extracurricular activities. They are preoccupied with getting good grades and joining enough clubs and teams to stand out when it comes time to submit college applications.
Adolescents are also trying to figure out who they are. They are trying to sort out who their friends are and where they fall on the social hierarchy. Many are also struggling to separate from their parents in order to gain more independence.
On top of that, adolescents are experiencing a significant amount of physical changes. Puberty is kicking in and their hormones have them all over the place. Their limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotions is rapidly developing causing them to experience a wide range of emotions and frequent mood swings. They haven’t experience many of these emotions before, so it can be difficult for them to cope with overwhelming feelings of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, etc.
When adolescents practice regular self-care, they are less likely to experience stress overload from the daily stressors they face. Additionally, research indicates that many diseases that lead to early mortality develop in adolescence. Therefore, it’s imperative that we teach adolescents preventative measures such as practicing regular self-care.
Below are examples of self-care activities appropriate for adolescents. It’s important to note that some activities require parental permission. I would love to hear other suggestions for self-care activities in the comments.
Each child is different and what works for some kids won’t work for others. The good news is that there are many options when it comes to self-care activities for adolescents!
80+ Self-Care Activities for Teens
- Listen to music
- Take a shower
- Talk to a friend
- Watch a movie
- Read a book
- Go for a walk
- Ride your bike
- Exercise
- Play with your pet
- Stretch your muscles
- Do yoga
- Meditate or pray
- Talk to a friend on the phone
- Go the park with a friend*
- Go to the mall*
- Get a hair cut*
- Take a nap
- Plan an outing with friends*
- Go for a jog
- Write in a journal
- Invite a friend to your house*
- Go for a swim*
- Go for a hike*
- Try a new activity
- Play board games
- Play card games
- Play a video game
- Cook with your parent
- Go to the spa with a parent
- Go outside and watch the birds and other animals
- Make a list of things you like about you
Click To Download PDF version of List of Self-Care Activities for Teens
- Go to the library
- Write a poem/short story
- Learn a new language
- Sing your favorite songs
- Write a song
- Learn to play an instrument
- Make a funny video
- Draw or paint a picture
- Make a list of your accomplishments
- Make a bucket list
- Write a letter to your future self
- Make a list of things you’re good at
- Work outside in nature
- Plant a garden*
- Make a scrapbook
- Trim your nails
- Visit a museum*
- Eat your favorite dessert
- Take photos of nature
- Make a playlist of your favorite songs
- Do a puzzle
- Play with a sibling
- Go to the bookstore *
- Google information about a different culture
- Watch funny cat videos
- Read a comic
- Go outside and watch the clouds
- Make a playlist of funny movies
- Turn up the music and dance
- Make a list of people you look up to and why
- Practice deep breathing exercises
- Walk barefoot in grass
- Read an inspirational book
- Write in a gratitude journal
- Do an arts and craft activity
- Start an art journal
- Have a good laugh
- Practice progressive muscle relaxation
- Volunteer in your community*
- Draw or color Zentangles
- Draw or color Mandalas
- Unplug and spend time in nature
- Go stargazing
- Make a fairy garden
- Look at family photo albums
- Read inspiring quotes
- Listen to running water
- Snuggle under a cozy blanket
- Fly a kite
- Write a love letter to yourself
- Make jewelry
- Blow bubbles and be silly
- Give yourself a self-massage
- Daydream
*ASK FOR PARENT PERMISSION
I am a licensed therapist and I just happened to come up this page. Awesome list of self care activities. I run a social skills groups for teens and this information is very helpful.
I run childrens and teens yoga classes and came across this! What fab ideas! Very inspiring! Will be sharing with my social media 😍