Self-Care for Children and Teens

Self-care generally refers to the things that individuals can do to take care of themselves physically and emotionally. Typical examples include: getting the right amount and quality sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting your personal needs met in a healthy way. Good self-care is more than focusing on what you should or shouldn’t do. It is also about paying attention and being mindful of strengths, good fortune, loved ones and personal successes, striking a balance between physical and psychological well-being.

When a child or teen is confident in their ability to take care of themselves, they may feel empowered and capable of preventing and/or managing a chronic medical and/or mental health problem. Taking good care of one’s self leads to higher personal satisfaction and the ability to deal with the emotional ups and downs that go with daily life.