This post: 10 Ways to Help When Your Teen is in a Funk
It doesn’t matter how hard our kids try to “hold it together,” there are times life just gets the best of them.
A failed test, an argument with a friend, girlfriend or boyfriend, or a crummy day on the field is enough to leave any teen feeling gloomy and low.
Sometimes though, we have to face up to the fact that our teens’ moods or funks may not have anything to do with, well… anything.
There are times when a crummy mood just creeps up on them out of nowhere and they can’t explain why. They only know that, for whatever reason, they’re in a funk and they don’t know how to snap out of it.
We all get into foul moods from time to time. It’s totally normal – especially when you’re a teenager and your brain and body are undergoing massive construction. But, just because your teen is in a funk doesn’t mean they have to stay in a funk. In fact, just by doing a few things differently, there’s a good chance your teen can turn their mood around in under an hour. Yep… under an hour!
The next time your teen is in a funk, pass along these ideas to help them beat their bad mood and get on a path to positivity.
10 Ways to Help When Your Teen is in a Funk
Take a Break from Your (Boring) Routine
Sometimes life just gets boring. Day in and day out, it’s all too easy to get stuck in a dull routine that wears you out and drains you of your enthusiasm. That’s why it’s so important for our kids to break free from their every day (sometimes boring) routine and switch things up a bit by doing something completely different.
Things like trying something new (like learning a new instrument or starting a new hobby), making it a point to eat a healthy breakfast every morning, stepping away from their normal “ fashion style” and buying something they’d typically never wear or redecorating their bedroom can help them shake their lives up a bit and get a new, happier lease on life.
Avoid the “Four Cs”
Few things can crush our kids’ spirit and mood more than when they get lost in the four Cs: comparing, competing, criticizing and complaining. If you notice your teen is drowning in negative self-talk, encourage them to first, recognize that they’re doing it and second, encourage them to redirect their attention toward something more positive.
For some kids, that might mean taking a break from social media’s constant flood of comparison (and fake realism). For others, it might mean sitting down and making a list of all their positive attributes or their recent accomplishments (no matter how small) to help remind them that they are making progress, they are worthy and they are successful.
Connect with a “Live” Person
Scrolling through Instagram or watching YouTube videos might be entertaining for our kids, but when they’re in a funk, they need a connection with a live human being, not a screen.
Reaching out to a friend (preferably the one who makes them laugh) can be just the distraction and shot of positivity they need to snap out of their bad mood. Better yet, encourage them to invite a friend (or two) over to hang out, watch a movie, and, of course, raid the refrigerator.
Get Out in the Sun
If your teen spends a little too much time hanging out in their bedroom gaming, scrolling on their phone or listening to music, encourage them to break free from the walls of their bedroom and get outside.
Walking, jogging, hiking or just hanging out on an outdoor porch – even 15 minutes in the sun a few times a week can increase their brain’s release of serotonin, a mood-boosting hormone that can also help your teen feel more calm, relaxed and focused.
Watch a Funny Movie
Have you ever had such a good laugh that once you were done laughing you had no recollection of your worries or troubles and suddenly you were in a better mood? Laughing truly is one of the best forms of medicine for our kids when life gets them down.
Some doctors actually call it “laughter therapy” because of the amazing physical, emotional and mental benefits laughter has on our minds and bodies. For our kids, it’s a way for them to ease stress and tension and boost their mood. So, the next time your teen is in a funk, encourage them to plop themselves in front of the TV (with a big bowl of popcorn, of course) and watch a movie that gets them laughing.
Crank Up the (Positive) Music
Our kid’s moods and music are oftentimes inextricably linked, which means music holds the power to help them cope, relate, and alter their mood. That’s why when your teen is feeling low, it’s a good time to crank up the music. Better yet, take a drive, roll the windows down, crank up the music and sing!
Keep a Gratitude Journal
When our kids are feeling low, it’s all too easy for them to get caught up in negativity and hyper-focus on all the things they wish they had that could make their life better. But, we need to remind them that there’s always something to be grateful for.
Whether they do it in their head, say it aloud or jot it down on paper, taking a few minutes a day (even once a week) can help our kids reframe their negative thinking and remind them of everything good in their lives.
Clean Your Bedroom
You wouldn’t think that suggesting your teen clean their bedroom would be sound advice for anyone in a funk, but it is! Our teens’ environment plays a big role in their happiness, motivation, enthusiasm and even their outlook on life. When they’re surrounded by clutter, clothes all over the floor and a stack of dirty bowls and cups on their nightstand, it can impact their mood.
Whether you nudge your teen to clean their bedroom themselves or surprise them by cleaning it yourself (hint: teens love surprises), you’ll be doing them a huge favor by tidying up the space they likely spend the most time in. Open the curtains, put fresh sheets on the bed, vacuum up all the food crumbs on the floor, and hang up their clothes – having a fresh, organized, clean bedroom can turn your kid’s mood from crummy to cheerful in no time.
Make Someone Else’s Day
Choose a friend or classmate and make it a point to do something to make their day. Tell a teacher you’re grateful for all they do. Shovel a neighbor’s driveway. Buy a friend their favorite coffee for no reason or surprise your mom by making dinner for the family. Shifting their focus toward others, giving instead of receiving and practicing appreciation and gratitude is one of the quickest paths to change your teen’s mood.
When All Else Fails, Eat Chocolate
Chocolate is like a hug our teens can eat. It’s a universal truth that when most people are feeling sad or upset, they turn to chocolate to make them feel better. Not only is it comforting, it’s also actually considered a “superfood” that works with our brain’s chemistry to promote feeling good.
So, go on… the next time life gets the best of your teen, buy them a Hershey Bar or a bag of chocolate kisses to make them feel better. It’s the perfect “feel good” remedy to a crummy, awful mood.
If you feel your teen’s bad mood or funk is something far more serious, don’t wait to reach out for help. Here’s how to recognize the hidden signs of depression, according to medical experts.