Many of us feel like the wind has come out of our sails in January for a number of reasons, but for teens with examinations and other adolescent stresses to contend with, this can be an especially difficult time.
January can bring feelings of anti-climax for older children for whom the ‘magic of Christmas’ is becoming a little worn, or a sense of disappointment when comparing their Christmases to those of their friends. Many children will feel the physical effects of the extra eating and that has been done over the holiday period. For those used to an active lifestyle at school, the periods of down-time over the school holidays can leave teens feel particularly sluggish come January, too.
With exams and hormones thrown into the mix, it’s a perfect storm for January Blues – but there are ways to manage or combat these issues.
Here are five ways to help your teenage charges beat those blues this January!
1. Get Outdoors & Exercise..
Encourage outdoor time wherever possible, since exposure to daylight is known to lift the mood and energize the body. Perhaps implement a daily walk to the shops or a simple kickabout with a football in the park with their pals before term starts, or if they’re old enough, see if they can be sent on local errands to get them up and about.
2. Banish Resolutions..
There is perhaps enough pressure on young people already without them having to write a list of additional things they must try and achieve from January. With exams and testing in school, New Year’s resolutions – especially vague ones that cannot be measured specifically – can often fail and leave one feeling a little hopeless. If they must make resolutions, try and encourage them to make measurable and achievable ones.
3. Cook..
Lure them out of the sugar-slump with a menu of hearty, home-cooked food that will put fire in their bellies ready for school and a fresh new term of hard work and fun. Cook up a big cottage pie for their last weekend before school starts, and teach them how to make pots of overnight oats for school day breakfasts.
4. Read..
It’s no surprise that teenagers struggle to switch off and relax, and can suffer from sleep problems from all the screen time and ‘hyperconnectivity’ they experience in a day. Help to foster a real love of books and reading by talking to them about what they like to read, planning trips to the library and encouraging them to set time aside specifically for reading for pleasure.
5. Get Help..
A low mood that persists for longer than a couple of weeks could be something that needs the attention of a professional. Ask them how they’re feeling and what’s on their mind, and always raise your concerns with the parents if you have noticed that one of your charges is suffering from a persistent low mood. If appropriate, offer to book an appointment with the family GP to talk things over more.
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