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It can be distressing for parents to watch their once passionate and positive child struggle with mood swings, apathy, or a chronically negative mindset in their teens. This is especially noticeable in teens who suffer from mental health problems and are more prone to getting caught up in negative thinking than the average teen.
Negative thinking patterns can make teens distant, isolated, or prone to conflict. Helping your teen develop a more positive mindset can help them manage their emotions, build resilience, and overcome challenges easier.
Positive thinking can also help teens increase their self-esteem, make them more resistant to peer pressure, and make healthier decisions. Read on to understand the benefits of a positive mindset and ways teens can practice positive thinking.
Understanding Teenage Emotions
Adolescence is a vulnerable time for development, with many teens experiencing mood swings or increased negative feelings. Teens may also see things in black and white. This all-or-nothing style of thinking is a cognitive distortion that can worsen teens’ mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety [1].
Helping teens develop a more positive mindset doesn’t mean they never experience negative emotions. Instead, it encourages them to approach challenges from a solution-oriented point of view and not allow negative emotions to influence their behaviors.
A few things to remember about teens and their emotions include:
- Emotions come and go. Teens may feel several emotions, both good and bad, throughout the day. Sometimes, more than one emotion at once.
- Emotions exist on a spectrum. They can feel mild or intense depending on the situation and headspace of your teen.
- Emotions aren’t inherently bad or good. It’s okay and even healthy to feel emotions like anger or sadness, but how teens manage these emotions is what’s most important.
What is Positive Thinking?
Positive thinking encourages teens to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, helping them develop a growth mindset and transform negative self-talk. It focuses on gratitude, empathy, kindness, and radical self-compassion.
Positive thinking is used in various therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These therapies differ in their approach but share similar goals of helping teens build resilience, develop positive strategies to cope with stress, and believe in themselves and their abilities rather than focusing on what can go wrong.
“Broaden and Build” Theory of Positive Emotions
The “broaden-and-build” theory in positive psychology was developed by Barbara Fredrickson, who believes that human beings require a steady flow of happy feelings and positive experiences to feel and perform their best. Fredrickson states that “positive emotions expand a person’s thought-action range”, leading to increased problem-solving and greater creativity [2].
Other key components of this theory include [2]:
- Experiencing positive emotions increases the desire to explore the world, overcome challenges, and stay grounded in the present moment.
- A positive mindset can increase confidence and strengthen social relationships.
- Personal growth that comes from practicing a positive mindset will help naturally produce more positive emotions, creating a pattern of positive thinking.
Five Ways Teens Can Practice Positive Thinking
There are several ways teens can get started on developing a positive mindset.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude journaling is a common tool in therapeutic approaches. This consists of writing down a few things (3-5 bullet points) each day one feels grateful for. It helps teens shift their mindsets, encourages them to focus on and appreciate what they have, and helps them discover new insights about themselves and their experiences.
Studies show that gratitude interventions can help teens increase positive emotions, self-awareness, improve sleep, relieve stress, and decrease feelings of anxiety or depression [3].
Encourage your teen to take a few minutes each day to pause and focus on the good things in life they have, which may include:
- Family, friends, and loved ones
- Good health
- Education
- Experiences they have had
Set Positive Goals
A large component of mental health therapies like CBT is helping teens set goals for both in and outside of treatment. Realistic goal setting can help teens focus on their strengths and stay motivated. When teens achieve these goals, it can boost their self-confidence and help them appreciate how far they have come.
Consume Positive Content
Over 50% of teens in the US report spending around 4 hours per day or more on social media. The kind of content they consume can have a significant influence on their emotions, mood, and behaviors. Teens who constantly consume harmful or distressing content may be more likely to struggle with feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression [4].
Consider limiting your teen’s time on social media and encouraging them to consume positive content that contributes to their personal growth. This could include self-help videos, educational content, and listening to motivational speakers or content creators.
Spend Time Around Positive People
Similar to how content influences the developing teen brain, it’s important for teens to spend time around peers, friends, and family members who are positive influences on their mental health.
Teens who spend time around others struggling with a chronically negative mindset may absorb these emotions or model similar behaviors, contributing to mental health problems. Encourage your teen to spend time with people who boost their mood and bring out the best in them.
Exercise Regularly
Ensure your teen gets daily movement. Establishing a consistent exercise routine not only benefits their physical health and boosts their mental health by releasing “feel good” hormones known as endorphins. Daily exercise can also help them relieve stress, boost their self-esteem, and improve overall emotional well-being.
Supporting Teen Mental Health in Texas
At Clearfork Academy, our team of licensed mental health professionals understands the complex nature of how a negative mindset can influence mental health problems. We offer comprehensive treatments to help teens break maladaptive thinking patterns and build positive coping strategies to increase successful mental health outcomes.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen.
Sources
[1] How to Change Negative Thinking Patterns. 2023. Child Mind Institute.
[2] Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. 2016. PositivePsychology.com.
[3] The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023. National Library of Medicine.
[4] Teens, Social Media and Technology. 2023. Pew Research Center.
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
