Rituals also help teens feel secure in the midst of transitions and protect them against the negative effects of stress and anxiety. We offer six steps you can take to create meaningful family rituals with your teen.

According to the Berkeley-based Greater Good Science Center, “As their cognitive capabilities grow… teens become more self-aware and, ultimately, more self-conscious. This can breed harsh self-criticism, so the need for self-compassion among teens is crucial.” Self-compassion is great for any source of stress, but it’s especially helpful for teens who have a tendency to be hard on themselves, or who have been bullied or picked on by peers. Teens who practice self-compassion report less depression and more feelings of resilience and gratitude - a huge boost in well-being from this one simple strategy.