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

1. Listen to music
2. Take a shower
3. Talk to a friend
4. Watch a movie
5. Read a book
6. Go for a walk
7. Ride your bike
8. Exercise
9. Play with your pet
10. Stretch your muscles
11. Do yoga
12. Meditate or pray
13. Talk to a friend on the phone
14. Go the park with a friend*
15. Go to the mall*
16. Get a hair cut*
17. Take a nap
18. Plan an outing with friends*
19. Go for a jog
20. Write in a journal
21. Invite a friend to your house*
22. Go for a swim*
23. Go for a hike*
24. Try a new activity
25. Play board games
26. Play card games
27. Play a video game
28. Cook with your parent
29. Go to the spa with a parent
30. Go outside and watch the birds and other animals
31. Make a list of things you like about youClick To Download PDF version of List of Self-Care Activities for Teens
32. Go to the library
33. Write a poem/short story
34. Learn a new language
35. Sing your favorite songs
36. Write a song
37. Learn to play an instrument
38. Make a funny video
39. Draw or paint a picture
40. Make a list of your accomplishments
41. Make a bucket list
42. Write a letter to your future self
43. Make a list of things you’re good at
44. Work outside in nature
45. Plant a garden*
46. Make a scrapbook
47. Trim your nails
48. Visit a museum*
49. Eat your favorite dessert
50. Take photos of nature
51. Make a playlist of your favorite songs
52. Do a puzzle
53. Play with a sibling
54. Go to the bookstore *
55. Google information about a different culture
56. Watch funny cat videos
57. Read a comic
58. Go outside and watch the clouds
59. Make a playlist of funny movies
60. Turn up the music and dance
61. Make a list of people you look up to and why
62. Practice deep breathing exercises
63. Walk barefoot in grass
64. Read an inspirational book
65. Write in a gratitude journal
66. Do an arts and craft activity
67. Start an art journal
68. Have a good laugh
69. Practice progressive muscle relaxation
70. Volunteer in your community*
71. Draw or color Zentangles
72. Draw or color Mandalas
73. Unplug and spend time in nature
74. Go stargazing
75. Make a fairy garden
76. Look at family photo albums
77. Read inspiring quotes
78. Listen to running water
79. Snuggle under a cozy blanket
80. Fly a kite
81. Write a love letter to yourself
82. Make jewelry
83. Blow bubbles and be silly
84. Give yourself a self-massage
85. Daydream

*ASK FOR PARENT PERMISSION