Psychosocial Health

Joyful Life

Adolescence is a period when significant changes in psychological, physical, social, and intellectual development will be experienced. You may sometimes feel fearful or worried, and experience rapid mood fluctuations or have occasional negative feelings. Do not worry! They are just part of life.

“Sharing”, “Mind” and “Enjoyment” are useful and simple tools that can make your adolescent life healthier, happier and more meaningful. These tools will also help you overcome challenges in your life and improve your mental well-being.

Sharing

  1. Express your gratitude or praise others
    By simply saying ‘thank you’ for every help you receive, or by saying ‘good work’ to encourage your classmate who got an improvement in examination, you will be able to spread the benefit of being joyful.
  2. Be kind and helpful
    You will feel good by being kind and helpful. For example, taking part in volunteer works or helping your classmates solve homework problems.
  3. Meet up with friends
    Share your difficulties as well as your joy with your trusted friends.
  4. Voice out to gain support from others
    Talk to people like your parents, teacher, social worker or psychologist for support and help when difficulty arises.
  5. Get along and communicate with your family members
    Having a better and closer relationship with your family members can make you feel good. Share your bits and pieces in your daily life with your family members, let them share your worries and provide support.

Mind

  1. Be hopeful
    Optimism helps you deal with difficulties better and even brings you better health. Be alert when pessimistic belief arises and try to find hope even in a difficult situation. For example, thinking of “I haven’t paid enough effort yet and will work hard on the difficult part next time” instead of “I’m stupid” when you fail a mathematics test.
  2. Pay attention to yourself
    Explore and pay attention to your own feelings and needs regularly.
  3. Believe in yourself
    Write down all the things that give you a sense of achievement and recognise the strengths and skills you possess. Utilise your strengths in different areas.
  4. Set goals in life
    Set goals according to your own ability, plan and take steps to achieve them. Review your goals and actions regularly, recognise the improvement you have made and move forward.
  5. Be grateful
    When you encounter difficulty or feel insufficient and want to complain, try to think of the things that you are already possessing. Spend time to count our blessings everyday help you feel more grateful.

Enjoyment

  1. Discover your interests and enjoy them
    Identify and engage in activities that fit your interest and cultivate them as your hobbies.
  2. Take notice of your surroundings
    Keep your curiosity and pay attention to your surroundings allows further discovery of wonderful things around you. For example, enjoying warm sunshine after a cloudy day and using your favourite stationary.
  3. Enjoy your private space and time
    Staying alone for some time can make you feel good. By enjoying your private space and time during a nice warm bath or shower, your muscles and body can be relaxed.
  4. Engage in physical activities
    Appropriate physical activities do not only improve your physical health, but also make you feel better, cope better with stress and study better. For example, running, swimming, dancing and ball games.
  5. Engage in activities that can maximise your potential
    Engage in activities that can develop your strengths or talents to maximise your potential. For example, joining a choir to learn singing or joining a ball game team.

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