Hello Teens Finding Hope Supporters,

It’s November, and the colorful display of nature reaches through the fog, a visual representation of hope. As people who lift loads of so many, it can be easy to succumb to burn-out and focus on the stressors of our daily lives.

In order to stay afloat, it’s important we find ways to follow our own advice and change our thoughts, manage our actions, and create time to recharge. We are an integral part of our community, and it’s crucial we succeed in the work of caring for others.

In the spirit of wanting to do our best work, let’s take a few minutes to improve our own mental health. It won’t take much time—just a few simple exercises to calm our minds and start our day on the right foot. We’re going to join you in this endeavor, but before we do, we want you to remember this: your work is valuable and we greatly appreciate you! Thank you for all that you do.

2. Think of something to be grateful for…

Ask yourself, “What is one thing about my job or school that makes me thankful?” 

3. Write down one anxious thought.

What is the pressing worry you can’t stop thinking about? Write it on the BACK of a post-it note.

4. Now rewrite the thought, reframing it with positive language.

Think to yourself, “How can I rewrite this in the positive?” Rewrite it on the FRONT of the post-it and stick it on your computer.

Example: “I'll never get this report done on time” can be rewritten, “I am making progress on my report little by little. I will finish it on time.”

5. Find one thing to put off until tomorrow.

Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can take off of my plate to lighten my load?” Write it on a post-it and stick it onto the calendar for another day.

6. Enjoy a good laugh.

Laughter is good for the soul, so find something to laugh about today. 

Here are some corny jokes from Reader’s Digest to get you started.

7. Remember your 'Why.'

Remembering the reason we choose to help others can put the passion back into our efforts. 

This is an older video, but it has a great example for the importance of remembering our 'why.”

Our time is up. Hopefully we are all feeling a little lighter and are ready to tackle the day ahead.

We’ve got this, friends.

Let’s go make a difference in this world!

Visit our website for more helpful information:

teensfindinghope.org 

resources, music, worksheets